Thermodynamic structure of the Atmospheric Boundary Layer over the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean during pre-INDOEX and INDOEX-FFP campaigns

Spatial and temporal variability of the Marine Atmospheric Boundary Layer (MABL) height for the Indian Ocean Experiment (INDOEX) study period are examined using the data collected through Cross-chained LORAN (Long-Range Aid to Navigation) Atmospheric Sounding System (CLASS) launchings during the Northern Hemispheric winter monsoon period. This paper reports the results of the analyses of the data collected during the pre-INDOEX (1997) and the INDOEX-First Field Phase (FFP; 1998) in the latitude range 14°N to 20°S over the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean. Mixed layer heights are derived from thermodynamic profiles and they indicated the variability of heights ranging from 400m to 1100m during daytime depending upon the location. Mixed layer heights over the Indian Ocean are slightly higher during the INDOEX-FFP than the pre-INDOEX due to anomalous conditions prevailing during the INDOEX-FFP. The trade wind inversion height varied from 2.3km to 4.5km during the pre-INDOEX and from 0.4km to 2.5km during the INDOEX-FFP. Elevated plumes of polluted air (lofted aerosol plumes) above the marine boundary layer are observed from thermodynamic profiles of the lower troposphere during the INDOEX-FFP. These elevated plumes are examined using 5-day back trajectory analysis and show that one group of air mass travelled a long way from Saudi Arabia and Iran/Iraq through India before reaching the location of measurement, while the other air mass originates from India and the Bay of Bengal

Leaf Cuticular Wax, a Trait for Multiple Stress Resistance in Crop Plants

Cuticular waxes form the primary interface between a plant and its external environment. The most important function of this hydrophobic interface is regulation of non-stomatal water loss, gas exchange and conferring resistance to a wide range of biotic as well as abiotic stresses. The biosynthesis, transport and deposition of the cuticular waxes are tightly coordinated by complex molecular networks, which are also often regulated in response to various developmental, biotic as well as abiotic cues. Evidences from model as well as non-model systems suggest that targeted manipulation of the molecular regulators of wax biosynthetic pathways could enhance plant resistance to multiple stresses as well as enhance the post-harvest quality of produce. Under the current scenario of varying climatic conditions, where plants often encounter multiple stress conditions, cuticular waxes is an appropriate trait to be considered for crop improvement programs, as any attempt to improve cuticular traits would be advantageous to the crop to enhance its adaptability to diverse adverse conditions. This chapter briefs on the significance of cuticular waxes in plants, its biosynthesis, transport and deposition, its implication on plant resistance to adverse conditions, and the current options in targeted manipulation of wax-traits for breeding new crop types

Salinity changes in the estuary and the coastal sea adjacent to the portmouth at Cochin

The article deals with the details of salinity changes in the Cochin estuary and its influence and interrelations with the Vembanad lake

Hydrological features of the Arabian sea off the Northern and central west coast of India During 1964 winter

The hydrographic features prevailing along the northern and central west coast of India during the early part of winter 1964 are discussed. A weak northward gradient in temperature north of 17°N and an eastward gradient south of it is noticed. The thermocline is found at shallower depths in the northern regions. A steady increase in the salinity is observed northward, the maximum being off Bombay. North of 17°N the flow is mainly eastwards which deflects towards south with increase in depth. At SO m a continuous weak southward drift is noticed. More or less uniform distribution is foimd in the dissolved oxygen content at surface and 20 m depth, but at 50 m depth eastward gradients are noticed. Sharp decrease in dissolved oxygen values occur from the top of the thermocline and the oxygen minimum layer is conspicuous in all the sections. The nature of the isotherms and the isolines of oxygen indicate the presence of upwelling in the region off Bombay. The total phosphorus content is much less in the region between 15°N and 18°N with higher values further south and north of these latitudes. The patterns of distribution of dissolved oxygen and total phosphorus contents show an inverse relationship. A westward gradient in the phosphorus values is seen at 50 m depth

Hydrography of the waters along the Gujarat Coast during the summer period of the year 1963

The hydrographic features of the waters along the Gujarat Coast during the summer period of 1963 are presented and discussed. During this period the waters were mostly isothermal within the continental shelf and a thermocline was perceptible only outside the shelf. Maximum salinity was observed in the region off Porbandar which again was the region of minimum temperature and maximum dissolved oxygen content. A southward increase in temperature was associated with a southward decrease in salinity. The sinking and spreading of high saline waters from the Gulf of Aden and Persian Gulf were perceptible in investigational area

On the marine atmospheric boundary layer characteristics over Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea during the Integrated Campaign for Aerosols, gases and Radiation Budget (ICARB)

Detailed measurements were carried out in the Marine Atmospheric Boundary Layer (MABL) during the Integrated Campaign for Aerosols, gases and Radiation Budget (ICARB) which covered both Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal during March to May 2006. In this paper, we present the meteorological observations made during this campaign. The latitudinal variation of the surface layer turbulent fluxes is also described in detail

Estuarine oceanography of the Vembanad lake Part iii: the region between Cochin and The 30 m depth off port mouth

The time-distribution patterns of temperature, salinity and oxygen content along the shipping channel from inside the port to a distance of about 15 km out into the Arabian sea during 1981-1983 are presented and discussed in this third and last part of the estuarine oceanographic study of the Vembanad lake. The distribution patterns show that hydrologically the nearshore region up to 12 or 15 km off Cochin is more or less identical to the adjacent coastal region, without having any apparent influence of the lake, during the dry months January to May. During the wet months, however, the discharge from the lake, characterized by suspended sediments, spreads as a plume, over highly saline and cold upwelled water, turning the region into an intermittent estuary. Though the end of the plume can often be pinpointed around the 30in depthline, by a sharp change of colour and filaments formed of floating objects of land and freshwater origin, the presence of an actual plume front is doubtful because of the weak surface convergence then occurring in a broad area off Cochin

Oceanography of the Arabian Sea With particular reference to the southwest monsoon

The oceanographic conditons in the Arabian Sea during the southwest monsoon is discussed. The main features occurring during this monsoon period in the Arabian Sea is the coastal upwelling along the southwest coast of India, the intensity of which is highest in the region Cochin to Mangalore. The currents along the coast during this season is southward. This also the season when mud-banks are formed at certain places along the coast. The effect of upwelling on primary and secondary production is also discussed