New Delhi annexure-i format for inviting proposal for fresh induction under sap- (drs)
Proposal3: Fingerprinting of glacial melt water in the Ganga Basin- implications for modelling of hydrological cycle in a Himalayan River System
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Proposal3: Fingerprinting of glacial melt water in the Ganga Basin- implications for modelling of hydrological cycle in a Himalayan River System The Himalayan glaciers form the largest body of ice outside the Polar Regions and it forms the unique reservoirs of fresh water. There are nearly 10,000 glaciers in Indian Himalayas. The variability in the hydrological cycle of the Himalayan river system can be modeled properly by calculating the contribution of multiple sources properly. Hydrological field data from these regions is sparse. Gangotri glacier which is one of the largest glacier in Himalayan region and it also records highest recession rates in this region. The work aims to build glacial melt-water component in the Bhagirathi River within the Bhagirathi basin from the snout of the Gangotri glacier to the confluence of the Bhagirathi River with Alaknanda River. Mapping of geomorphological elements in the glacial and periglacial domains around the Gangotri glacier to correlate the recent past variability of this glacier is also proposed to be a component of the work. The discharge of Bhagirathi River shows positive correlation with temperature and negative correlation with the rain event. The outcome of the project is expected to lead to basic input for modeling the glacial melt-river discharge quantitative estimation for the Himalayan glacier. The project aims at progressing more than one independent fronts with the aim of emerging with a comprehensive model of Gangotri glacier variability in recent past and prognosticating about projected behavior in future. This entails generation of multiparametric data of the following type;
Currently the progress achieved includes two publications which are listed below;
Proposal 4: Simulation of groundwater flow dynamics and assessment water quality variation in parts of Indo-Gangetic basin, India. Introduction: Indo-Gangetic basin has voluminous non indurated sediments giving rise to heterogeneous aquifer system. This is one of the most important alluvial aquifer system; sustaining the water requirements of a huge population. It has in past decades supported rapid developments in agricultural and industrial sectors. Linked with this, there has been rapid urbanization in the basin. The basin has served the need for providing food security to country through implementation of Green revolution. It also has many major industrial townships. Under natural condition the groundwater flow dynamics in the basin approximates topography. However anthropogenic forcing often changes the flow dynamics on local scales. It could be possible that at times there is significant change in the flow dynamics. Besides the abstraction often exceeds the resilience limit of the groundwater system. Thus it requires defining thresholds of the system at local and regional scale. This can be attempted by simulating groundwater flow at predefined scale based on the present stress pattern. With regards to groundwater quality, the river basin in normal circumstances is expected to have fairly defined hydrochemical facies in recharge and discharge areas. However, in the course of developmental activities, very often the contributions from geogenic sources of groundwater pollution are accelerated, leading to changes in groundwater chemistry. This is manifested by hydrochemical facies observed in the groundwater and anomalous concentration of contaminants. The problems become acute when the anthropogenic contamination sources like drains, polluted rivers, and landfill sites become prominent. It is endeavoured to establish a picture of linkages between trace element concentration in groundwater, contamination, hydrochemical facies variation and groundwater flow dynamics. Objectives: The projects aims to simulate groundwater flow dynamics and foresee the aquifer response to possible changes in stress on the groundwater system. The resilience of the groundwater system to present stress would be examined and thresholds identified. The changes in chemical character of the groundwater system at local and if possible at regional scale in the Indo-Gangetic basin would also be assessed. A possible linkage between trace element concentration in groundwater, contamination, hydrochemical facies variation and groundwater flow dynamics would be established. Work plan and methodology:
The project is proposed to be completed by engaging Ph.D. students with the twin objective of achieving the desired objective of completing the project in specified time and at the same time helping the PhD student in the research problem which will also lead to time bound completion of his PhD Thesis. Some M.Phil and M.Sc. dissertation students may also be involved in smaller segments of the study area. Expected outcome: The projects will simulate the groundwater flow dynamics and assess the changes in chemical character of the groundwater system in the syudy area. The information can be used for decision support related to development paradigms in the present agrarian economy. It will help in demarcating groundwater potential zones, hydrochemical zones etc. in the study area. Proposals for mitigation and prevention of groundwater contamination will be formulated. The recommendations will ultimately help state governments, city planners and other stake holders in formulating sustainable groundwater development and management strategies.
Dr.A.K.Singh Prof.D.K.Sinha Prof.G.V.R.Prasad Prof.J.P.Shrivastava Dr.Pramod Kumar Prof.P.P.Chakraborty Prof.Pankaj Srivastava Dr.Vimal Singh Proposal 1a: Indian Monsoon variability during the Quaternary and its relationship with the various parameters like Inter Tropical Convergence Zone, El Nino and Indian Ocean Dipole. Proposal 1b: Paleoceanographic changes during Late Neogene and The Quaternary and also work on the causative factors as well as their effect on global climatic condition Objectives of the proposed project under CAS program:The main objectives of the proposed work are as follows
Proposal 2: Diversity and biogeographic affinities of Jurassic mammals of India - Jurassic mammals are relatively rare from the Gondwanan continents as compared to the highly diversified assemblages from the Laurasian continents. In the Southern Hemisphere, they are known only from Tanzania in Africa, Argentina in South America and India. The existing fossil record shows that only triconodont, dryolestid, and haramiyid mammals are known from South America and Africa. In marked contrast, the Jurassic strata of India appear to contain more diversified fauna comprising several groups, such as symmetrodonts, morganucodontids, triconodonts, docodonts, and multituberculates, known from the Northern Hemisphere. We need to know why such a disparity exists in the mammalian faunal composition between the Gondwanan continents in order to better understand the evolution of Jurassic mammals in the southern continents. The main objective of the work is to know whether biogeographic partitioning of Gondwanan ecosystems existed in the Jurassic or not. The Jurassic Kota Formation (Pranhita-Godavari valley) and other Jurassic sequences of western India will be subjected to intensive vertebrate palaeontological studies to test this hypothesis. Proposal 3: Evolution and biogeographic patterns of vertebrate fauna during the northward flight of India – Geophysical data has shown that India was rapidly drifting as an insolated landmass during the Cretaceous Period. Such a palaeogeographic scenario would lead to vicariant evolution of biota on the insolated landmass. The biogeographic affinities of Late Cretaceous (Maastrichtian) vertebrates from the Deccan volcanic province are fairly well understood. As compared to this, the early and middle Cretaceous vertebrate fossil record is poorly documented from India. Secondly, which biogeographic pattern (vicariance vs dispersal/geodispersal) was dominant during the entire time span of the Cretaceous Period is not known at present. To fill these gaps in our knowledge, the Cretaceous succession of Cauvery basin where strata representing nearly the entire Cretaceous Period are exposed and the Cretaceous succession of Narmada valley spanning Turonian to Coniacian will be made focus of the study. Even in the well studied Deccan volcanic province, the mammalian fossil record is biased towards eutherian mammals. Until now, no marsupials, multituberculates and monotremes have been documented from the Late Cretaceous of India. It needs to be investigated whether the absence of these groups is an artifact of sampling bias or these groups did not inhabit the Indian subcontinent in the Late Cretaceous. As the mammalian fossils discovered from the Deccan volcanic province are the only known eutherian mammals from the Gondwanan continents, it becomes all the more important to know the diversity and distribution of Cretaceous mammals of India in the context of mammalian origins, dispersals and distribution. Therefore, focused studies on vertebrate fauna of Deccan volcano-sedimentary sequences will be continued. Proposal 4: Palaeogene vertebrate fauna from the western India – implications for India-Asia collision tectonics – In order to understand the mode of evolution and dispersal patterns of vertebrate fauna during the northward drift of India, a continuous fossil record representing the Cretaceous, Palaeocene and Eocene periods during which India made its journey to the north to dock with Asia is to be documented. Thevertebrate fossil record is fairly well documented from the Late Cretaceous and Early Eocene of India, but the Palaeocene record is very poor to non-existent. Late Palaeocene-Early Eocene is also the time during which lignite was deposited in many places in western India and in Pakistan. The tectonic and climatic conditions that led to the formation of these coal deposits on the western continental margin of India in the closing phases of Tethys is another issue that demands focused attention. Keeping these in view, an attempt will be made to study the Palaeocene-Eocene deposits of western Rajasthan from vertebrate palaeontological and palaeoenvironmental points of view. Proposal 5: Clay-organomolecular studies on sediments of the late Cretaceous-early Paleocene succession of the Mahadeo-Cherapunji section to assess lateral continuity with the K/Pg layer of the Um-Sohryngkew river section, Meghalaya: palaeoenvironmental implications and K/Pg transition. Shrivastava et al (2013) reported high abundance of rare earth elements, negative δCe anomaly, high La/Yb and Gd/Yb values together with the negative spike in the total carbon and positive spikes of total organic carbon (TOC) in the 1 - 2 mm thick, yellowish brownorganic rich clay layer which lie between silty mudstone (20-25 cm thick) and grey calcareous shale layer located in the biozone CF3. Significant increase in the kaolinite contents as well as layer and inter-layer charges in illites associated with the yellowish brown clay layer (sample JP-12) is compositionally similar to the clays associated with the well-established K/T boundary layers of Agost, Caravaca, Petriccio and El-Kef sections. These attributes of the yellowish brown clay layer together with the sudden increase in the temperature (>140ºC) perceived in the upper part of the biozone CF3 (sample JP-12) are analogous to the attributes of the clays associated with the K/T boundary layer of the Caravaca section. This layer is marked by spikes in the n-alkanes, n-fatty acids and high molecular PAH compounds. These positive and negative spikes found in biozone CF3 when translated in terms of time sequence, it has been found that these changes are possibly due to multiple K/T boundary transition events occurred in the late Maastrichtian period. Fine resolution stratigraphy based on planktonic foraminiferal zonation revealed that this section is continuous across the boundary (Mukhopadhyay 2008) and qualifies as a potential candidate to study paleoenvironment during the K/Pg transition.However, lateral extension of 1 - 2 mm thick, yellowish brownorganic rich clay layer is required to be studied in details for better resolution as well as recognition of K/Pg boundary in this area. Therefore, Mahadeo-Cherrapunji road section is significant that necessitates detailed study in this context.Therefore, it is necessary to systematically record clay mineralogical variation and trace and Rare Earth Elemental (REE) concentrations together with Ce and Eu anomalies in the K/Pg boundary section to understand palaeoenvironmental conditions prevalent during the end Cretaceous period. It is also necessary to explain the correspondence and disparity between the major anomaly of clay minerals and the K/ Pg boundary in terms of tectonics. Formation of organic macromolecular structure is complex; therefore, variation in the distribution of organic molecules if recorded systematically across the succession would unveil palaeoenvironmental variables accountable for their formation. Such studies are significant in this context; however, need to be carried out in this area.Mechanism of interaction between clay and organic compounds in K/T boundary associated sediments is yet to be understood. To resolve K/T boundary, study of gross macro-molecular carbon skeleton structure of heterogeneous geopolymers with special reference to its possible linkage with the clay component is necessary and study would unveil palaeoenvironmental constraints accountable for their origin.Correspondence and disparity in the clay-organic matter with the Um-Sohryngkev river section as well as with well-known K/Pg boundary sections across the world need to be studied. Proposal 6: Bio-events and Compositional Studies on Clays and Organic Matter Associated with C-T and K-T Boundary Sequences of Tiruchirappalli: Palaeoenvironmental Inferences and K/Pg Transition The Cretaceous succession in Tiruchirappalli region is one of the best-developed sedimentary sequences in the South India. The variability of clay mineral changes recorded at the Cretaceous / Tertiary boundary imply a unique modification of the environment, such as warming and cooling, extensive differential settling processes, or early diagenetic modifications of extra or intra - terrestrial materials. The clay minerals present in the K/TB layer are reflective of the chemical components operative / available at the time of their formation. All these changes have homogeneous and synchronous trend in clay mineral successions.Biological organic compounds in the K/T boundary sediments provide useful information on the mass extinction as they were derived from the then living organisms (Mita and Shimoyama, 1999). In this scenario,compositional studies on organic matter extracted from the intercalated mixed layer clay complexes of Cenomanian-Turonian (C-T) and Maastrichtian-Danian (K-T) boundary sequence of Tiruchirappalli is required to be undertaken in details. Present project proposal is designed to study the nature and type of the organic macromolecules, plausibly associated with the smectite or mixed layer clay complexes, their derivation from the original source organic material that would unveil palaeoenvironmental constraints accountable for their origin. The organic and inorganic collides interact with each other and forms clay organic complex which is an important constituent of intercalated bole sediment. Mechanism of interaction between clay and organic compounds in KTB associated sediments is not very well understood. Formation of mixed ligand complexes, sorption and adsorption of organic matter with the inorganic minerals and adsorption of geopolymers in clay inter layers will be studied to infer palaeoenvironmental conditions prevailed at the time of the formation of the intercalated mixed layer clay complexes of Cenomanian-Turonian (C-T) and Maastrichtian-Danian (K-T) boundary sequence of Tiruchirappalli. The adsorption behaviour of organic compounds on surface of clay minerals will be studied in the proposed proposal. The gross structure of heterogeneous geopolymers with special reference to macro-molecular carbon skeleton and its possible linkage with the clay component will be studied in this project using FTIR and NMR spectroscopy. Proposal 7: Bulk Rock and Clay-Organic Geochemistry, Isotopic Compositions and Dating of Loess-palaeosol Sediments from Dilpur Formation of Kashmir: Palaeoclimatic Reconstruction. Common association of loess–palaeosol layers in a single succession that makes Karewas unique of its kind. Therefore, it provides one of the most complete terrestrial records of glacial-interglacial cycles of the Quaternary Period (Porter, 2001; Muhs and Bettis, 2003). Such association in Dilpur Formation of Karewas is significant as it reflects arid/dry and warm/humid two distinct palaeo-climatic conditions. Thus, these sequences are considered as past climate indicators and records distinct climatic set-up, correlatable with the regional paleoecology, paleogeography and paleoclimatic changes. Comprehensive continental records covering longer time span are rare, thus, it is difficult to surmise climatic change periodicities. The enrichment of clays and organic matter during the evolution of these sediments provide treasury of information. Therefore, bulk geochemistry, clay mineralogy, organic geochemistry and 10Be and 14C dating of loess-palaeosol sediments associated with the main lithostratigraphic units of the Upper Karewa (Dilpur) Formation is necessary to understand past climatic changes. The cosmogenic radionuclide 10Be (half life = 1.36±0.07 by Nishiizumi et al. 2007) generated much interest as a potential tracer for the environment and finds its application in the present study. Cosmogenic nuclides are produced in rocks and sediments due to reactions induced by cosmic rays. 10Be falls out onto land, lake and ocean surfaces. It gets attached to dust particles. It undergoes dissolution in rain water (Me Hargue and Damon, 1991) and is then scavenged from the water column in lakes and ocean by sinking particles (Anderson et al. 1990). After deposition, 10Be remobilization is generally considered as negligible (Bourles et al. 1989, 1991). Thus, the sedimentary 10Be records can be used as a tracer for Palaeoclimatic interpretations (Shen et al. 1992; Eisenhauer et al. 1994; Aldahan et al. 1997), biological production at the ocean surface (Frank et al. 1994; Rutsch et al. 1995) and geomagnetic field intensity variations (Raisbeck et al. 1985; Lao et al. 1992; Frank et al. 1997). Production rate of cosmogenic isotopes depends upon geomagnetic, latitudinal and altitudinal variations and flux of incoming cosmic rays to the earth (Lal, 1988). Current research on 10Be within terrestrial material requires added sensitivity from AMS techniques. Proposed study is mainly focused on the Upper Karewa Formation, where cosmogenic 10Be isotopes will be employed to understand palaeoclimatic changes occurred within well-constrained Quaternary stratigraphic framework. 14C dating of the Karewa palaeosol carbonate nodules and organic carbon has been done earlier by Kusumgar (1980) and deduced the age range between 18-35ky. But the 14C can be used to date sediments of much narrower ages as well as their smallest difference at profile level which can give the detailed changes in climate with respect to time when correlated with the clay mineralogy and other studies. Organic Carbon is abundant in palaeosols of the Karewa basin therefore it will be used for radiocarbon age determinations. Evaluating the results obtained from both of these dating techniques for Dilpur formation will help in the palaeoclimatic reconstruction. Proposal 8: Study of limestone of peri-cratonic rift system of Kutch for their abiotic to biotic nature Rationale: The Kutch basin evolved due to break-up of eastern Gondwanaland in Late Triassic. The Delhi fold belt trend swung in E-W direction in Kutch basin, this led to development of numbers of graben and half-graben in the basin. The rifting initiated from north to south created Kutch embayment however; fully marine condition in basin established later. The oldest Mesozoic deposits of Kutch is located towards north/north-east and youngest sediment deposited towards south-west/west. The Jhurio, Jhumara and Jhuran Formation constitute ~80% of sedimentary sequence of Mesozoic, comprised of limestone and shale whereas Bhuj Formation is dominantly siliciclastic. The limestones of the basin is not of same character and especially early limestones are micritic and completely devoid of fossils/abiotic. The study emphasises on to know why certain limestone of Phanerozoic age is completely devoid of fossils/abiotic. The question arises whether the ocean water chemistry was not favourable for organism, condition was not suitable for preservation of fossil, the style of rifting has controlled the nature of limestone or the ocean circulation pattern was shifted or changed during this time. The rifting of Gondwanaland on other parts of world also crated during this time, we would like to correlate the observation with other rift basins. The secular change of limestone character from abiotic to fossiliferous limestone is not available in literature. We even do not know this is normal behaviour of limestone in rift sediments of Phanerozoic or not. Objectives:
Proposal 9: Analysis of Karumolasse in context of Indian-Eurasian collision history Rationale: It is generally agreed upon that the docking between Indian and Eurasian plate is diachronous along the strike of the Himalayan orogen. Evidences from the north-western edge of the Indian plate suggests it occurred at ~65 Ma (Beck et al. 1995), whereas studies from the Zanskar and Ladakh regions constrain the collision ages to around 52 and 49 Ma. The evidences of collision could be found in the molasses preserved along the suture zone. The Indus and Kargil molasse have been studied for collision ages apart from other aspects. Another small molasse outcrop called Karoo molasse exposed in the suture zone along Leh-Manali highway, has been ignored. But the fact is that it lies in contact with the Ladakh batholith and includes clastics of Ladakh granitides suggest that these mollase sequence could be having wealth of information regarding collision-tectonics and un-roofing of the Ladakh batholith. This study aims to investigate the Karoo molasse sequence to constrain the un-roofing history of the Ladakh batholith. Objectives:
Proposal 10:Evolution of early atmosphere and hydrosphere vis-a-vis linkage is a topic of active research. Several proxy including atypical lithology (iron formation, detrital uraninite, pyrite etc.) , non-mass to mass dependant fractionation in isotopic systematics, sulfur isotope in particular, biomolecule and redox-sensitive trace element behavior are employed by workers to track the change in Earth atmosphere from anoxic to oxic. But, how this atmospheric oxygenation transferred into the hydrosphere from its shallow to deeper level remains a topic of debate. Although it was thought initially that the disappearance of iron Formation from the rock record in post 1.8 Ga time is an indication of deep water oxygenation, the idea is contested by a stratified ocean model by Canfield and coworkers. According to the model in post-1.8 Ga time, ocean became stratified with oxic upper layer and sulfidic bottom layer, similar to present day Black Sea condition. Although this idea is supported by many workers from data around the World, data in Indian context is very rare, if not absent. From a number of basins viz. Vindhyan basin, Gwalior basin, Bijawar basin etc. those range in time span between Paleoproterozoic (~1900 ma) to end Mesoproterozoic (~1000 Ma) and host a number of atypical lithologies viz. iron formation, chert, black shale this study will be attempted to understand the Mesoproterozoic hydrosphere condition in both Indian and global context. Proposal 11: To track provenance and its temporal shift, if any in basins of central India viz. Chhattisgarh, Ampani, Singhora etc. and Marwar basin, Western India by detrital zircon geochronology and sediment geochemistry (Major, Trace and REE). Indian Precambrian sedimentary basins are studied in last four decades principally on the basis of field- based physical sedimentology, which not only enhanced knowledge on these basins but also improved our knowledge base on Precambrian sedimentology, in general. However, tracking provenance for these basins by use of robust U-Pb detrital zircon geochronology and sediment geochemistry (Nd isotope geochemistry in particular) is only in a nascent stage and hence, many subtle changes in the provenance character vis-à-vis their forcing hinterland tectonics remained in the oblivion. Near surface forcings correlative with deep crustal events can only be tracked from studies in sedimentary basins and in absence of robust geochronology data these near surface forcings remained unnoticed. Under CAS III, attempt will be made to generate high quality detrital zircon data from these basins. Proposal 12: To evolve tectno-sedimentary model for early Precambrian (Paleoproterozoic) rift basins taking example from the North Delhi Fold Belt (NDFB) i.e the Bayana-Lalsot basin. In view of young Precambrian crust and its low thickness it is assumed that most of faults/ruptures were restricted near surface and subsidence in these fault-bounded basins were unlike fault bounded Phanerozoic basins. PeninsularIndia as a unified continental block shared its late Archean-Proterozoic geological history with its erstwhile neighbors in three successive Precambrian 'Supercontinent's, viz. Ur (3.0 Ga), Columbia (1.9 - 1.8 Ga) and Rodinia (1.1 Ga). Stitching of Archean cratonic nuclei with polyphase orogenic belts, stabilization of cratons with emplacement of granitoids and dyke swarms, opening and closing of intra- and epicratonic sedimentary basins on stabilized craton/s register the ~3.0 billion years(3.5 - 0.5 Ga) Precambrian odyssey of the Indian subcontinent. In this backdrop, it is felt that the sediment archives within Proterozoic basins of India need to be studied both in terms of process-based sedimentology and structural grains present within the basins. As a test case the study is proposed in the Bayana basin, North Delhi fold Belt. Proposal 13: Attempt will be made to track Paleocene-early Eocene Superthermal events (PETM) from lignite deposits in the Kutch basin, Western India. Earth’s surface experienced a series of transient warming/hypothermal events superimposed on the long warming trend in late Paleocene (¬56 Ma) to early Eocene (¬52 Ma) marked by negative carbon isotope excursions. The 2 to 8 carbon isotope excursion in the early Eocene is is correlated with 5-90 c increase in ocean water temperature in high-latitude areas as well as rise in mean annual temperature of ¬4-50. Release of 1500 to 4500 gigatons of carbon to the ocean and atmosphere resulting in large but poorly constrained increase in CO2 in the atmosphere. This is nearly similar to the 21st century CO2 release pattern and the projected increase in the Earth temperature in next 100 years. Keeping this in view, The late Paleocene lignite section topped by undoubted Eocene limestone will be studied to identify the nature and scale of late Paleocene-early Eocene hypothermal events. Proposal 14: Paleogene fossil soils of the NW Himalayan Foreland Basin: Implications for the oldest tropical weathering and monsoonal conditions over the Indian subcontinent: The proposed project is aimed at exploring the oldest fluvial sequences of the HFB from Kangra and Subathu sub-basins to comprehend the past tropical weathering process and inception of the monsoonal conditions over the Indian sub-continent. The paleosols hold an important archive of key paleopedofeatures that are potentially useful to reconstruct the past-weathering processes and paleoenvironments including the inception of monsoonal conditions during Paleogene. In order to achieve the main objective, project work is subdivided into following elements. (i) Identification and field characterization of fossil soils within 3-4 critical sections from Kangra and Subathu basins of the HFB for key paleopedogenic features i.e. paleosol horizons, fossil roots (rhizocretions), pedogenic carbonate nodules, Fe-Mn concretions etc., (ii) Detailed micromorphological characterization of the paleopedofeatures as important clues for paleoclimatic variability, (iii) Geochemical characterization i.e. bulk geochemistry and stable isotope geochemistry of pedogenic carbonates for determining weathering indices and evaluating paleo-precipitation and paleo-temperature during Paleogene. Major objective of the proposed project is aimed at exploring the fossil soils from the oldest continental sediments of the HFB to comprehend inception of paleomonsoon over the Indian sub continent. This can be subdivided into following parts. (i) Identification and field characterization of fossil soils within 3-4 critical sections of Lower Dharamsala and Dagshai Formations from Kangra and Subathu basins of the HFB for key paleopedogenic features i.e. paleosol horizons, fossil roots (rhizocretions), pedogenic carbonate nodules, Fe-Mn concretions etc. (ii) Detailed micromorphological characterization of the paleosols for establishing the key paleopedofeatures i.e. microstructure, rhizocretions, illuviation, pedogenic carbonate and birefringence fabric of the paleosols as important clues for paleoclimatic variability. (iii) Geochemical characterization i.e. bulk geochemistry and stable isotope geochemistry of pedogenic carbonates for determining weathering indices and evaluating paleo-precipitation and paleo-temperature during Paleogene.
The critical zone is "the living, evolving, outer skin of our planet where rock, soil, water, air and organisms interact to regulate the environment that is critical to life” (Fisher 2012). Today the outer skin of the Earth is scarred by the anthropogenic activities at unprecedented rates and is under pressure due to exponential growth of the population. It has become a major challenge to understand the effect of this human interference with the Earth's CZ. Globally, this challenge has been realised and efforts have been initiated around a decade ago by establishing Critical Zone observatories to address the problems related to basic sciences in Earth surface processes. In contrast, in India in spite of its large size, and topographic and climatic variability, there is only one such observatory. We propose to initiate research in the field of Critical Zone studies. The potential site for this study would be Himalaya where dynamic interaction between tectonics, and climate occurs. This study is essential in order to understand the Earth surface processes in this terrain because not only will it provide insights of the CZ functioning in this dynamic terrain but it will also demonstrate how sediment and water flux which is essential element that helps millions of people sustain their life on the Ganga Plains flow out of the catchment. The main objectives of this study would be sediment budgeting of a Himalayan basin and investigate the linkages between Critical Zone thickness and factors controlling it.
20. Annual/ Semester system in Examination being followed. Credit system in examination being followed or not. All UG and PG courses (B.Sc. Hons, M.Sc. Geology, M.Sc. 5 yr integrated Earth Science) are under semester mode with revised syllabus. Now Delhi University is following Choice Based Credit System. 21. Major ongoing areas where linkages with industries have been established. P.P.Chakraborty Grassroot research and Development Organisation, Noida: Environmental impact of sand mining from river beds in Punjab and Haryana. Hindustan Lever Limited: Characterisation of carbonate mines as a flux for detergent Industry. J.P.Shrivastava Analysis of water samples with special reference to the grain size, mineral composition, physical and chemical characteristics. Sponsored by Indo-Canadian Consultancy Services Ltd. (Cost Rs. 1,66,000). Grain size, mineral composition and chemical analysis of water samples.(Cost Rs. 2,98,000). Grain size, mineral composition and chemical analysis of water samples. (Cost Rs. 3,04,980). Analysis of water samples with special reference to the grain size, mineral composition, physical and chemical characteristics. Sponsored by Indo-Canadian Consultancy Services Ltd. (Cost Rs. 20,700). Consultancy and training programme on silt analysis for two Scientific Officers from the Druk Green Power Corporation, CHP-Chhukha, Bhutan. (Cost Rs. 0.65 lacks).
Prof. C.S. Dubey recently reported for the First time anthropogenic Arsenic contamination in Yamuna Flood Plains of Delhi. He has recently found a natural Zeolite abundantly available in India for removal of Arsenic in natural waters a major health hazard in West Bengal and other parts of India. The patenting of this method is in process. 23. Availability of infrastructural facilities for research:
As per list provided for major equipments under Infrastructure facilities at 24
24. Major equipment available and in use (costing more than Rs.2,50,000/-) within Department and USIC, indicating actual cost and source of each item, year of purchase, whether in operation.
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