Hydrogeochemical Assessment of Groundwater in Neyveli Basin, Cuddalore District, South India

In the light of progressive depletion of groundwater reservoir and water quality deterioration of the Neyveli basin, an investigation on dissolved major constituents in 25 groundwater samples was performed. The main objective was detection of processes for the geochemical assessment throughout the area. Neyveli aquifer is intensively inhabited during the last decenniums, leading to expansion of the residential and agricultural area. Besides semi-aridity, rapid social and economic development stimulates greater demand for water, which is gradually fulfilled by groundwater extraction. Groundwaters of the study area are characterized by the dominance of Na + K over Ca + Mg.HCO3 was found to be the dominant anion followed by Cl and SO4. High positive correlation was obtained among the following ions: Ca–Mg, Cl–Ca,Mg, Na–K, HCO3–H4SiO4, and F–K. The hydrochemical types in the area can be divided into two major groups: the first group includes mixed Ca–Mg–Cl and Ca–Cl types. The second group comprises mixed Ca–Na–HCO3 and Ca–HCO3 types. Most of the groundwater samples are within the permissible limit of WHO standard. Interpretation of data suggests that weathering, ion exchange reactions, and evaporation to some extent are the dominant factors that determine the major ionic composition in the study area

Integrated nutrient management in calendula (Calendula officinalis L.) grown in partially reclaimed sodic soil condition

To study the effect of nutrient management on growth and flower yield of Calendula, field experiments were carried out during 2009 and 2010. Results indicated that significantly higher plant height (40.6 cm), number of leaves (142) at 90 days, total number of flowers plant-1 (126), total fresh weight of flowers (87.5 q ha-1) and dry weight of flowers (25.0 q ha-1) were observed by the application of 10 t farmyard manure (FYM) + ½ NPK + spraying of micronutrients followed by sole application of recommended dose of inorganic fertilizer (i.e. NPK@ 80:30:30 kg ha-1) which was at par with application of half dose of recommended dose of inorganic fertilizer supplemented with half dose of organic fertilizer. Application of 20 t FYM ha-1 improved the soil physicochemical parameters i.e. pH, EC, organic carbon and available NPK in comparison to control. &nbsp

Response of garlic to integrated nutrient management practices in a sodic soil of Uttar Pradesh, India

An investigation was carried out to study the combined effect of biofertilizers viz., phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) and Trichoderma supplemented with FYM and chemical fertilizers on plant growth and bulb yield of garlic (Allium sativum) under degraded land condition. Significantly higher values of plant growth and yield parameters were obtained with the application of 100% recommended dose of NPK supplemented with FYM along with seed treatment with Trichoderma and PSB. Seed treatment with PSB was effective for all the parameters. However, PSB and Trichoderma were more effective when applied along with 100% NPK and FYM @ 20 t ha-1. It can, therefore, be concluded that for sustainable production of garlic, application of recommended dose of inorganic fertilizer (NPK) supplemented with 20 t ha-1 of FYM coupled with inoculation of PSB and Trichoderma can enhance yield and profitability of garlic. &nbsp

Chemical composition and isotopic signatures of ice and snow over a Himalayan Glacier (Satopanth) in India

This study reports the chemical composition and isotopic signatures of snow and ice over a Himalayan Glacier in India. An observational campaign was carried out from September 22, 2016, to October 2, 2016, over Satopanth in central Himalaya. The pH value of ice and snow, respectively, was 5.6 ± 0.4 and 5.9 ± 0.35 over the glacier, indicating moderate acidity of the glacier components. Calcium (Ca2+) was the dominant component in snow (35.2%), while sulfate (SO42−) was dominant in ice samples (52.7%). The neutralization factor was estimated to find the extent of neutralization of acidic fractions by basic components. It is found that Ca2+ was the prominent neutralizing factor both in snow and ice over the region. Oxygen and hydrogen isotopic analyses of snow, surface layer ice and debris-covered ice suggest that the moisture source is common for all three components. δD and d-excess values of snow at Satopanth are different than that of those for Chorabari, Dokriani and Tiprabank Glacier, indicating the plausibility of different sources of moisture for these glaciers. Limited observations suggest that the interaction of ice with the debris has no impact on the isotopic signatures of the ice over the region; such non-alteration of isotopic signatures makes the region important for ice core-based paleoclimatic studies

Evaluation of the hydro geochemistry of groundwater using factor analysis in the Cuddalore coastal region, Tamil Nadu, India

181-185The hydrochemical facies and its aerial distribution of groundwater present in the coastal region of the Cuddalore region, Tamilnadu had been examined as a part to map their aerial hydrochemical distribution and attempts to explain the geochemical processes controlling its water quality/facies. In the study area aquifers occur in Quaternary deposit. Ten major ions (Ca⁺, Mg⁺⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Cl⁻, HCO₃²⁻, H₄SIO₄, F⁻, SO₄ and NO₃⁻) were determined for each of 54 water samples collected in two seasons (pre and post monsoon ). The factor analysis was performed for pre- monsoon and post-monsoon data set. This gives an insight into the source of dissolved ions and the hydro geochemical chemical processes which are responsible for the water quality changes that are occurring here including the intrusion of seawater. The present study elucidates the effectiveness of factor analysis in evaluating hydrochemical processes occurring in the coastal regions which are dominated by agriculture and industrial zones

Hydrogeochemical Characteristics and Evolution of Coastal Groundwater at Cuddalore Area, Tamilnadu, India

ABSTRACT- The hydrogeochemical data of groundwater’s of the different aquifers of the Cuddalore coastal area, Tamilnadu were examined to determine the main factors controlling the groundwater chemistry and salinity as well as its hydrogeochemical evolution. The geology of the area plays a significant role in the determination of the groundwater potential of the region. The area underline by the various geological formations ranging in age from the oldest Archaean rocks to recent sediments. Groundwater of the coastal alluvial aquifer has the highest conductivity values in the study area due to the impact of seawater and agricultural activities. Piper diagram showed that Cl and SO4 are the dominant anions, whereas Na is the most dominant cation, where it is sometimes replaced by Ca and/or Mg in the hydrochemical facies of the ground waters. The paper revealed that the groundwater has been evolved from Ca-HCO3 recharge water through mixing with the pre-existing groundwater to give mixed water of Mg- SO4 and Mg-Cl types that eventually reached a final stage of evolution represented by a Na-Cl water type. Different ionic ratios revealed the impact of seawater and marine aerosols on the hydrochemical composition of groundwater of the Quaternary aquifer. Dissolution of carbonate and sulfate minerals in the aquifer matrices and recharge areas as well as cation exchange are shown to modify the concentration of ions in groundwater. Groundwater-mineral equilibrium showed the prevailing dissolution-precipitation reactions in the groundwater

Unique Characteristic of Ecotourism

Abstract: The Nainital High Altitude Zoo one and only Zoo in the newly born state of Uttarakhand is situated at an elevation of 2100 m above mean on the hill of Sher-Ka-Danda. Zoo ecotourism is regarded as being more than tourism to natural areas and should be viewed as a means of combining the goals of resource conservation and local development through tourism in a synergistic fashion

Glacier mass loss in the Alaknanda basin, Garhwal Himalaya on a decadal scale

The Himalayan glaciers significantly contribute to the largest river systems like the Indus, Ganga, and the Brahmaputra. The change in glacial area and mass can affect the mountain community and people living in the Indo-Gangetic plain. The present study adopted the geodetic method to estimate the elevation change and mass budget of 61 glaciers in the Alaknanda Basin, using the satellite data of Cartosat-1 (2011, 2014, 2017) and SRTM (2000). Besides, the DEM of 1962 (SOI Toposheet) and 2000 (SRTM) is used to estimate the mass budget of Satopanth (SPG) and Bhagirath Kharak glaciers (BKG). The field debris thickness of SPG (2015-2017) is compared with the elevation change (2000-2017). Further, we have compared the mass loss of the glaciers with their volume. The results suggest the sustained mass loss of 1.85 ± 0.10 Gt out of 33.9 ± 8.8 Gt for 61 glaciers in the basin from 2000-2017. The mass loss of SPG and BKG during 2000-2017 is 0.20 ± 0.02 Gt and 0.24 ± 0.03 Gt, whereas from 1962 to 2000, is 0.083 ± 0.03 Gt and 0.091 ± 0.04 Gt, respectively. The analysis facilitates a better understanding of glacier mass changes in the Alaknanda basin on a multi-decadal scale