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N. K. Lenka ¹, Sangeeta Lenka ¹, A. K. Biswas ¹

Affiliations
1 ICAR-Indian Institute of Soil Science, Bhopal 462 038, IN

Abstract

Natural resource management (NRM) based on scientific principles plays a crucial role for an inclusive and sustainable growth in India. The shrinking per capita natural resources leads to intensive land use and results in further environmental degradation. This calls for developing agroecoregion-specific land-use plans based on homogeneity in soil, water and climatic features in a particular region and managing a particular land unit on watershed basis involving the local community. This article consolidates information on the science-based efforts made by the Government of India through various scientific establishments and science-led development schemes for NRM over time. Despite the existence of a number of institutions for NRM research, there is hardly any coordination across the Departments and Ministries. The missing links in NRM research are discussed in this article keeping in view the emphasis of the government and the importance of natural resources in promoting inclusive and sustainable growth in India.

Keywords

Land Degradation, Matural Resources, Soil and Water Conservation, Watershed Management.

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D. K. Roy ¹, G. K. Ray ¹, A. K. Biswas ¹

Affiliations
1 MBA Basin, ONGC, Kolkata - 700 088, IN

Abstract

Abnormally high formation pressures are encountered worldwide, ranging in geological age from Cenozoic to Paleozoic, within a depth range of few hundred meters to as deep as six thousand meters while carrying out exploratory drilling by E and P companies. Several causes can increase formation fluid pressure i.e. rapid loading of sediments results compaction disequilibrium, thermal expansion of fluids, compression and/or upliftment of strata by tectonic forces, generation of oil and gas from organic matter and its volume expansion due to high thermal stress within the restricted pore volume in subsurface condition. Few global examples on overpressure occurrences have been compiled in the paper with special reference to Bengal Basin. Emphasis has been given on methodology and interpretation on abnormal pressure detection in Bengal Basin with a compiled data package on generated curves (Geologs), charts, tables in a systematic way to understand the depth/stratigraphic horizons proved/interpreted as proved or likely to be within transition and overpressure regime. The integrated analysis indicates that the wells drilled in the east of Eocene hinge zone in the onshore and offshore parts of Bengal Basin have penetrated overpressure formation within Miocene in the depth range of 2800 m to 5340 m and the mud weight used to control this overpressure zone was more than 2.0 sp gr mud. The generated Geologs can be used as reference to understand the regime of transition and overpressure, as a valuable document for exploration drilling planning and monitoring. The generated model curve (modified using available data after Hottman and Johnson,1956 curve) using sonic departure (i.e. Δt_ob(sh) - Δt_n(sh)) from drilled wells may be used as an additional tool to find out the expected formation pressure gradient and equivalent mud weight in all future wells. The correlation of wells based on the trend of dcs and σ logs will be useful for predicting transition and overpressure top provided all the parameters required for calculating dcs and σ log recorded smoothly during drilling phase. The study has brought out the detail procedure to generate the pressure profile in the future wells. The generation of pressure profile of a well prior to drilling has got immense importance in oil industry. The drilling of the well should be done by maintaining the optimum mud weight generated from the pressure profile. In case, during drilling, formation pressure is more than the mud pressure, resulted gas kicks or worse, blowouts of the well. Excessively high mud pressure can fracture the formation and cause lost circulation. The oil and gas companies, worldwide, attributed 15% losses due to various problems associated with drilling complications, mostly related to improper pressure prediction of a well. The losses include loss of material as well as drilling process continuity, called non-productive time (NPT). The generation of accurate pressure profile reduces drilling problems, cuts exploration and development costs and allows billions of dollars now spent on losses to be better spent-building and replacing reserves.

Keywords

Overpressure, Geologs, Dc Exponent, σ Log, Electrologs, Bengal Basin.

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Neetu Malik ¹, A. K. Biswas ²

Affiliations
1 Environmental Planning and Coordination Organisation, Bhopal, M. P., IN
2 Indian Institute of Soil Science, (ICAR), Bhopal, M. P., IN

Abstract

In last few decades, due to the rapid increase in the population, industrialization and newer agricultural practices, the aquatic resources of India have been deteriorating. The pollution of aquatic ecosystems by heavy metals is of a great concern due to their persistence, toxicity and accumulative behaviour. The heavy metals can change the trophic status of aquatic ecosystems and make them unsuitable for various purposes. They also pose a serious threat to human health. This paper reviews the heavy metal contamination of sediments of Indian inland water bodies. It also discusses the possible sources of pollution. Different standards for sediment pollution which are in use have also been discussed. It showed that environmental degradation has become a major societal issue in India due to uncontrolled anthropogenic activities, besides natural factors. There is an urgent need of creating awareness amongst the public of these problems and find preventive and remedial solutions for management. Expensive high-tech remedial measures are not suitable for the country, and hence emphasis has to be given on prevention. Indigenous research towards mitigation and remediation has to be encouraged, keeping in mind India's unique problems of poverty, crowding and malnutrition.

Keywords

Heavy Metals, Inland Water Bodies, Sediment, Pollution.

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Neetu Malik ¹, A. K. Biswas ², C. B. Raju ³

Affiliations
1 Department of Zoology and Applied Aquaculture, Barkatullah University, Bhopal, M. P., IN
2 Indian Institute of Soil Science (ICAR), Bhopal, M. P., IN
3 Advanced Materials and Processes Research Institute (CSIR), Bhopal, M. P., IN

Abstract

Halali reservoir is a freshwater resource of Madhya Pradesh. It receives untreated domestic sewage and municipal wastes and also agricultural runoff from the surrounding areas. Different heavy metals (Fe, Mn, Ni and Pb) were measured in Halali reservoir during 2007-08 by using ICP-OES. Heavy metal contents were found significantly different among the sites and varied in the seasons. All the metals were higher at station H1 and confirm this site as a major source of pollution in the reservoir. Heavy metal content in plankton followed the order: Fe>Mn>Pb>Ni in all the seasons. Pb showed the highest bioaccumulation with high BAF values, although it was within the permitted level in reservoir's water. In this communication the concentration of metals in plankton can affect the associated fauna of the water body, and finally the impact can be seen on human health by the process of biomagnification.

Keywords

Heavy Metals, Bioaccumulation, Halali Reservoir.

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Narendra K. Lenka ¹, S. P. Jaiswal ¹, J. K. Thakur ¹, S. Lenka ¹, A. Mandal ¹, A. K. Dwivedi ², B. L. Lakaria ¹, A. K. Biswas ¹, A. K. Shukla ¹, D. S. Yashona ¹

Affiliations
1 Indian Institute of Soil Science, Nabibagh, Bhopal 462 038, IN
2 Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Viswa Vidyalaya, Jabalpur 482 004, IN

Abstract

Land degradation is one of the major causes of decline in soil productivity. However, the quantitative relationship between degradation and productivity is not fully understood in soils of India. Thus, an experiment was conducted under a range of native soil organic carbon (SOC) levels in two soil types (Inceptisol and Alfisol) of subtropical India. The SOC content under the treatments was 1.61%, 1.01% and 0.77% in Inceptisol and 0.36%, 0.25% and 0.21% in Alfisol under C₁ (undepleted soil), C₂ (low depletion) and C₃ (medium depletion) treatments respectively. Soybean was grown under each SOC level, with four management practices, viz. (1) control, (2) recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) + 10 Mg farmyard manure (FYM) ha^-1, (3) 20 Mg FYM ha^-1 and (4) 150% RDF, in three replicates in a factorial completely randomized design. Results indicated significant and positive effect of both SOC and management treatment on plant biomass yield, labile (KMnO₄ oxidizable) carbon, soil microbial biomass carbon (SMBC), dehydrogenase activity, soil bulk density (BD) and penetration resistance (PR). The plant biomass reduced by 45% and 29% under C₃ (compared to C₁) in Inceptisol and Alfisol respectively. The effect of SOC depletion was conspicuous in Inceptisol. The labile C reduced by 47% and 16% under C₃ in Inceptisol and Alfisol respectively. SMBC showed a corresponding decrease of 33% and 29%. The soil physical properties, viz. BD and PR showed conspicuous effect of SOC depletion. PR increased by 324% and 75% for Inceptisol and Alfisol respectively.

Keywords

Labile Carbon, Soil Degradation and Productivity, Soil Microbial Biomass, Soil Physical Properties.

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Narendra K. Lenka ¹, Sangeeta Lenka ¹, J. K. Thakur ¹, R. Elanchezhian ¹, S. B. Aher ¹, Vidya Simaiya ¹, D. S. Yashona ¹, A. K. Biswas ¹, P. K. Agrawal ², A. K. Patra ¹

Affiliations
1 Indian Institute of Soil Science, Nabibagh, Bhopal 462 038, IN
2 Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Pusa, KAB-1, New Delhi 110 012, IN

Abstract

A field experiment was undertaken in the kharif season of 2016 in open-top chambers to study the individual and combined effects of elevated carbon dioxide and temperature on growth and yield parameters in soybean crop. The soybean (var. JS 20–29) crop was grown under two levels of CO₂ (ambient, 550 ppmv) in combination with two levels of air temperature (ambient, +2.0°C). The five different climate treatments were: open field (OF), ambient chamber (AC), elevated temperature (eT), elevated CO₂ (eC) and elevation of both temperature and CO₂ (eCeT). At the time of sowing, vermicompost @ 2.0 tonnes ha^–1 was applied along with 30 kg N ha^–1 (in the form of urea), 60 kg P₂O₅ ha^–1 (through single super phosphate) and 40 kg K₂O ha^–1 (through muriate of potash) to the soybean crop. Impact of the climate variables was studied in terms of selected plant attributes, viz. plant height, leaf area, biomass, number of pods, number of grains per pod, grain yield and seed index (100 seed weight). Results indicated significant positive effect of elevated CO₂ and temperature on plant growth parameters, pod attributes and grain yield. Compared to AC, leaf area at 50 days after sowing was higher by 143%, 281% and 259% and above-ground biomass at harvest was higher by 47%, 31% and 47% under eC, eT and eCeT treatments respectively. The difference in biomass under OF and AC was not significant. The increase in grain yield over ambient varied from 30% under eT to 51% and 65% under eC and eCeT treatments respectively. The seed index as measured through weight of 100 numbers of seeds, was significantly higher under elevated CO₂ and/or elevated temperature treatments than the ambient chamber and open field treatments.

Keywords

Carbon Dioxide Fertilization, Climate Change, Elevated Temperature, Seed Index, Soybean Biomass.

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Niraj Kr. Prasad ¹, A. K. Biswas ¹, Prasanta K. Sinha ²

Affiliations
1 National Institute of Technology, Durgapur 713 209, West Bengal, IN
2 Durgapur Institute of Advanced Technology & Management, West Bengal, IN

Abstract

This paper presents the results of an experimental work with measurement of wall static pressure of 45°/45° S shaped curved duct. An S shaped duct is widely used in aircraft intakes, gas turbines. The test ducts are made up of transparent perspex sheets to facilitate the flow visualization study. The duct have inlet to exit area ratio of 1.0 with centerline distance of 0.75m. The inlet aspect ratio of the test duct has been fixed at 1.0 with inlet width 100mm. The velocities for the proposed investigations are to be measured by using calibrated Pitot tube. Wall pressures are measured with the help of inclined manometer with the inclination of 35°. The main purpose of this investigation is to show the development of secondary flow which happens when flow takes place through the bend in the curvature. This secondary flow arises as a result of centrifugal force acting when the flow moves through the bend. The investigation is carried out at three different velocities 20 m/s, 40 m/s, 60 m/s. The distribution of normalized pressure which is the ratio of static pressure to the dynamic pressure is mapped and shown in the form of contours by using the software package SURFER. The trend of wall static pressure development on the walls of S shaped duct shows that as the flow proceeds towards the curvature and there exists a high pressure gradient between the outside face and inside face due the centrifugal force acting at the curvature. This shows the bulk shifting of flow towards outside face. This is due to the generation of secondary motion in a plane perpendicular to the primary flow. This gradient becomes zero at the inflexion plane. After the inflexion, the change of curvature causes a reverse trend in the wall static pressure growth leading to the probable development of pair of contra-rotating vortices as a result of secondary motion with opposite sense of rotation compared to the first half of the bend.

Keywords

45°/45° S Shaped Curved Duct, Secondary Flow, Contra-Rotating Vortices, SURFER.

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Priya P. Gurav ¹, S. K. Ray ², P. L. Choudhari ³, A. O. Shirale ¹, B. P. Meena ¹, A. K. Biswas ¹, A. K. Patra ¹

Affiliations
1 Division of Soil Chemistry and Fertility, ICAR-Indian Institute of Soil Science, Nabibagh, Bhopal 462 038, IN
2 Regional Centre, ICAR-National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land Use Planning, Jorhat 785 004, IN
3 CRAL-International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics, Development Centre, Asia Program, Patancheru, Hyderabad 502 324, IN

Abstract

This article reviews the information regarding potassium (K) status of Indian soils based on research conducted since 1929. The patterns and lacunae regarding potassium consumption in India are also mentioned. The role of minerals in potassium availability vis-à-vis forms of potassium is discussed and elucidated with suitable clay mineralogical evidences. The article also highlights the problems of potassium availability to plants in Indian shrink–swell soils. We have pointed out the inefficacy of the universal method used for assessing plant-available K (1N NH4OAc) in Indian shrink–swell soils, as observed from extensive K response studies. The current practices of assessing only plant-available K is not adequate to detect native changes in soil potassium. This paradoxical situation necessitates revision and revalidation of the existing potassium fertilizer recommendations, which are being adopted since four decades. A holistic research envisaging soil test crop response and mineralogical studies will help in revising potassium evaluation methods in India, leading to judicious fertilizer application by the farmers.

Keywords

Clay Mineralogy, Fertilizers, Mineralogy, Potassium Availability, Swell–shrink Soils.

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