Informatics Publishing Limited

Anil K. Gupta ¹, Haiyan Wang ²

Affiliations
1 The University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, US
2 China India Institute, 8000 Overhill Road, Bethesda, MD 20814, US

Abstract

The rise of global champions is neither a universal nor a random phenomenon. It is not universal in the sense that not every aspiring or large Indian company will be able to grow into a significant global competitor. At the same time, it is not random either in that one can systematically lay out the factors that will distinguish a firm that becomes a global leader from one that tries to but fails. The authors present here a conceptual discussion of the factors that enable new players to emerge on the global stage and to challenge the established positions of incumbents.

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Anil K. Gupta ¹, M. V. S. Guptha ², S. Masood Ahmad ³

Affiliations
1 Dept. of Geology and Geophysics, IIT Khragpur-721302, IN
2 National institute of Oceanography, Dona Paula, Goa-403004, IN
3 Naional Geophysical Research Institute, Hyderabad-500007, IN

Abstract

No Abstract.

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Anil K. Gupta ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Geology and Geophysics, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur 721 302 (W. B.), IN

Abstract

The evolution of Pleistocene deep-sea environments at Northern Indian Ocean DSDP Site 219 has been evaluated, using the quantitative analyses of deep-sea benthic foraminiferal fauna. The Pleistocene assemblages are dominated by Uvigerina proboscidea which shows remarkable frequency changes. The relative abundances of characteristic benthic foraminifera, and patterns of Species Diversity and Equitability have enabled identification of four events (C₁-C₄) of major faunal turnovers. These events have been inferred to represent intervals of fundamental changes in atmospheric oceanic circulation, most likely the cooling and intensification of bottom-waters due to major increase in polar ice volume.

Keywords

Pleistocene, Foraminifera, DSDP Site 219, Deep-Sea Environment, Marine Geology.

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Anil K. Gupta ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Geology and Geophysics, Indian Institutc of Technology, Kharagpur 721 302, W.B., IN

Abstract

The distribution patterns of important benthic foraminifera from surface sediment samples of 9 DSDP sites from the tropical Indian Ocean were examined. The faunal patterns reveal two major assemblages and one intermediate assemblage. The first assemblage is dominated by Uvigerina proboscidea and Globocassidulina pacifica and confined to a water depth ranging from 1800-2800m. This assemblage is associated with North Indian Deep Water (NIDW). The second assemblage, confined to waters deeper than 3800m, is dominated by Epislomineila umbonifera and is associated with Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW). The third assemblage occurs between 2800 and 3800m and is dominated by Uvigerina hispido-costata, Cibicides wuellerstorfi, Epistominella exigua, Pullenia bulloides, and Oridorsalis umbonatus. This assemblage is associated with a water mass intermediate between NIDW and AABW. A minor assemblage has also been observed at depths shallower than 1800m, dominated by Bulimina aculeata and Astrononion umbilicatulum. This assemblage appears to be associated with a water mass influenced by Antarctic Intermediate Water (AAIW).

Keywords

Benthic Foraminifera, Indian Ocean.

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Anil K. Gupta ¹, M. S. Srinivasan ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Geology and Geophysics, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur 721302, IN
2 Department of Geology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, IN

Abstract

Quantitative data of Late Miocene deep-sea benthic foraminifera from the tropical Indian Ocean DSDP Site 214 have been combined with oxygen and carbon isotope values to understand the history of deep thermohaline circutation in the Indian Ocean. The important faunal changes include a significant increase in Uvigerina proboscidea percentages at c. 8.S to 7.5 Ma and during 6.2 to 5.2 Mat reaching their maximum values at the Miocene/Pliocene boundary. The increase in U. proboscidea percentages are accompanied by decreasing abundances of Bulimina alazanensis. Obicides kullenbergi, and C. wuellerstorfi. and lower values of H (S) and E'. The δ ¹⁸0 values are, in general, higher during these intervals While δ¹³C values show a decreasing trend. The interval between 7.5 and 6.2 Ma is marked by a major increase in B. alazanensis which coincides with slightly higher δ^l3C and lower δ¹⁸0 values. C. kullenbergi and C. wuellerstorfi. interestingly, reveal significant variations with higher values before Chroo - 6 Carbon Shift at about 6.2 Ma and a prominent peak immediately preceding the shift, but remain low and less variable following the shift during the remainder of the Late Miocene as do the δ ¹³C va1ues. The well-known Late Miocene Chron - 6 negative carbon shift is marked by significantly higber U. proboscidea percentages, and lower C. ku/lenbergi, C. wuellerstorfi and B. alazanensis values. Out data support the hypothesis that the shift was caused by excess organic carbon input to the system. and higher rate of upwelling and ocean productivity. The Miocene/ Pliocene boundary marks a warming event and is typified by highest percentages of U. proboscidea and Osanguiaria culter, lighter δ¹⁸0 and lighterδ¹³C values, and lowest values of H(S) and E'. The sediment accumulation rates were remarkably higher at the Miocene/Pliocene boundary. These events reflect high rates of surface productivity intensified by strong upwelling.

Keywords

Foraminifera, Miocene, Indian Ocean.

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Anil K. Gupta ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Geology & Geophysics, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur - 721302, IN

Abstract

The distribution of Holocene deep-sea benthic foraminifera in 19 core top samples from the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea is examined to understand the faunal-watermass associations. Relative percentages of significant taxa have enabled to identify distinct assemblages associated wth different watermasses in the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea. The first assemblage in the Indian Ocean is marked by the dominance of Nuttallides umbonifera. This assemblage is found below 4000 m where bottom water is highly carbonate-undersaturated and is influenced by Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW). The second assemblage is characterized by Uvigerina hispido-costata dominance with Cibiddes wuellerstorfi as a subsidiary species. This assemblage is associated with the lower tongue of North Indian Deep Water (NIDW) between 2500 and 4000 m water depths. U. hispido-costata has higher abundances at sites lying below upwelling zone off the Arabian coast in relatively high dissolved oxygen deep water. The third assemblage is dominated by Uvigerina proboscidea between 1500 and 2500 m depth. Globocassidulina pacifica/subglobosa, Pullenia bulloides and C. wuellerstorfi are secondary constituents. This assemblage characterizes high productivity regions (equatorial belt) with relatively low oxygen levels in deep water. The Red Sea Deep Water (RSDW) assemblage is dominated by Bolivina subreticulata and characterizes highly saline, warm, oxygen-poor deep water. Other species of this assemblage are Textularia agglutinans, Astrononion umbilicatulum, Miliolinella subrotunda and Ophthalmidium acutimargo.

Keywords

Benthic Foraminifera, Micropaleontology, Holocene, Indian Ocean, Red Sea.

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Anil K. Gupta ¹, Abhra Roy ¹, Pradyumna Naik ¹, Santanu Chatterji ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Geology and Geophysics, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur - 721 302, IN

Abstract

Pliocene-Pleistocene benthic foraminifera were analysed from arabian Sea Deep Sea Drilling Project (DSDP) sites 220 and 223. At site 220 the most dominant taxon is Nuttallides umbonifera showing peak abundances in the Early Pliocene, Early and latest Pleistocene possibly representing intervals of highly carbonate-undersaturated bottom waters. The species diversity [H(S)] and equitability (E') trends show inverse relationship with N. umbonifera percentages. At relatively shallower site 223, the benthic assemblage is dominated by Cibicides wuellerstorfi, Oridorsalis umbonatus and Uvigerina hispido-costata through Plio-Pleistocene. N. umbonifera shows peak abundances only in the beginning of the Pliocene. This species shows an abrupt decrease to near extinction near the Plio-Pleistocene boundary and occurs very rarely and sporadically in the Pleistocene at site 223. C. wuellerstorfi and O. umbonatus show increased percentages in the earliest Pliocene, late Early Pliocene, and a short lived peakin the Early Pleistocene (samples 2-5), indicating presenceof relatively warm, oxygenated, and less corrosive bottom water at this site. The peaks of U.hispido-costata at site 223 are inferred to reflect intervals of high surface productivity due to intense upwelling off the Arabian coast.

Keywords

Foraminifera, Pliocene-Pleistocene, Arabian Sea.

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Anil K. Gupta ¹, Moumita Das ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Geology and Geophysics, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur 721302, IN

Abstract

We produced a 12.9 Ma census data of deep-sea benthic foraminifera from subtropical Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Hole 752A, Broken Ridge, southeastern Indian Ocean to understand paleoceanographic and paleoclimatic changes and their relation to Southern Ocean climate variability as well as latitudinal shifts in the Subtropical Convergence Zone (SCZ). We employed knowledge of the ecology of Recent deep-sea benthic foraminifera from different ocean basins for environmental interpretations at Hole 752A. Benthic faunal data suggest a major transition in deep-sea environments of the southeastern Indian Ocean across 5.5-4.5 Ma roughly coinciding with the end of the Indo-Pacific "biogenic bloom". The benthic biofacies suggest well-oxygenated and nutrient poor deep waters from 12.9 to 10 Ma with variable flux of organic matter. The interval 10-5.5 Mais marked by high and sustainedflux of organic matter at the time when productivity increased many fold throughout the Indian and Pacific Oceans during which time the biogenic bloom peaked and the Indian summer monsoon intensified. Antarctic ice volume significantly increased and southern component deep-water formation enhanced during this time. This southern cooling in the late middle to late Miocene probably pushed the SCZ towards north above Hole 752A. Since 4.5 Ma, the organic flux was low to intermediate and pulsed.

Keywords

Paleoceanographic changes, Benthic foraminifera, ODP Site 752, Broken Ridge, SE Indian Ocean.

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Anil K. Gupta ¹, David M. Anderson ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Geology & Geophysics, lndian Institute of Technology, Khar agpur - 721 302, IN
2 NOAA Paleoclimatology Program, 325 Bloadway, Bouldct, CO 80305-3328, USA, US

Abstract

South Asian monsoon is an important part of global climate, affecting large areas of the Indian subcontinent Monsoon is life and death to the people of South Asia as good monsoon is a boon to taimers whereas an unusual monsoon can bring misery to the people through widespread floods and droughts Strong differential heating of the Indian landmass and the latent heat released from piccipitation mainly drive the present day summer monsoon circulation During the northeast (winter) monsoon season, winds are dry and biological productivity in the northern Indian Ocean is low providing little food to the deep-sea In opposition, the intense, wet, monsoonal winds of thc southwest (summer) monsoon cause widespread upwelling and high surface productivity, thus a high supply of organic particles to thc sea floor During high surface productivity, distinct fauna and flora flourish in the surface water column in various parts ot the northern Indian Ocean Study of these monsoon proxics accumulating in layers of sediment over hundreds to millions of years help understand the history of monsoons over various time scales Recent study suggests a mechanistic link between the North Atlantic Ocean and the southwest monsoon at century-millennial time scales during the Holocene, suggesting importance of tropics and high latitude teleconnection On short time scales monsoon variability has also been related to the Indian ocean Sea Surface Temperature (SST), Himalayan-Eurasian snow as well as El Nino-Southern Oscillation(ENSO) This study reviews different aspects of past monsoon variability and its future implications.

Keywords

lndian Ocean, Summer monsoon, Biological productivity, Holocene, Monsoon proxies.

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Anil K. Gupta ¹, Hitesh Dhingra ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Geology & Geophysics, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur - 721 302, IN

Abstract

Planktic foraminiferal faunal and isotope data from Deep Sea Drilling Project (DSDP) Site 214 reveal a major change in surface water properties in the eastern Indian Ocean, coinciding with the mid-Pleistocene climate transition (MPT). A comparative study of Globigerinoides sacculifer (a surface dwelling, warm water, mixed-layer tropical planktic foraminifer), Globorotalia menardii Complex (a deep dwelling, tropical species group), and Orbulina universa (an intermediate depth warm-water subtropical foraminifer) with the stable isotope record of Globigerinoides ruber suggests a warm, thick mixed layer in the eastern Indian Ocean during,∼2000 Kyr to -900 Kyr. Since -900 Kyr the surface water mass stratification weakened, and the mixed layer as well as thermocline were shallow. A decrease in the population abundance of Gs. sacculifer, together with a decrease in 8¹³C and increase in 5¹⁸0 values suggest a continuous cool climate and increased surface productivity over the last -900 Kyr. This coincides with an increased variance in the 400-Kyr component of Earth's eccentricity cycle.

Keywords

Palaeoclimate, Middle Pleistocene Transition, Planktic Fauna, Oxygen And Carbon Isotopes, Eastern Indian Ocean.

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Moumita Das ¹, Anil K. Gupta ¹, David M. Anderson ²

Affiliations
1 Departrnent of Geology and Geophysics, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur 721 302, IN
2 NOAA Paleoclimatology Program, 325 Broadway, Code E/GC, Boulder, CO 80302, US

Abstract

We analyzed a 1000-year census record of benthic foraminifera in core RC 2730 (water depth 698 m), off the Oman Margin, northwestern Arabian Sea, to understand the influence of surface productivity on bottom water environments in response to changes in the intensity of the southwest (SW) monsoon winds. We employed knowledge of the ecology of recent deep-sea benthic foraminifera from different ocean basins for environmental interpretation of benthic assemblages. Benthic faunal data suggest that the interval 1200 - 1400 A.D. is marked by an increased influx of organic matter to the northwestern Arabian Sea floor that resulted from higher surface productivity during a stronger SW monsoon. This interval corresponds to the Medieval Warm Period and a wet phase in India. The organic flux was low during the Little Ice Age (1450- 1850 A.D.) when the SW monsoon was weak. Over the last millennium, the SW monsoon was weakest during the Maunder Minimum, and since then it has shown a continuous intensification, coinciding with increased surface air temperatures.

Keywords

Last millennium, Foraminifera, Organic flux, Southwest monsoon, Northwestern Arabian Sea.

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D. D. Khandelwal ¹, Anil K. Gupta ¹, Vishal Chauhan ¹

Affiliations
1 Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, 33 G.M.S. Road, Dehradun 248 001, IN

Abstract

Rainfall variations in the Garhwal Himalaya, Uttarakhand were studied for a period of six years from 2008 to 2013. The rainfall data were obtained through a dense network of rain gauges installed by India Meteorological Department (IMD), New Delhi, are spreaded over seven districts of Uttarakhand, combined with the data from Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology (WIHG) rain gauge located at Ghuttu, Garhwal Himalaya. The rainfall data of WIHG have a sampling interval of 15 min, while IMD provides district- wise rainfall measurements with monthly temporal resolution. Therefore, extreme events of rainfall which occurred in a short duration of time were observed using the rainfall data of WIHG. Similarly, daily diurnal variations of rainfall were also observed in these data. The seasonal variations and distribution of rainfall in different districts of the Garhwal region were seen in both WIHG and IMD datasets. An increasing trend of rainfall activity was seen from 2008 to 2013. Meterological observations suggest that the isohyet has shifted towards end-September in recent years. Two events of extreme rainfall in the Garhwal Himalaya in 2012 and 2013 caused a major loss of life and property in the region. The rain gauge of WIHG recorded heavy rainfall during both the events. In 2012, ~70 mm rainfall was recorded in 1 h and in 2013 the rain gauge data showed about 250 mm rainfall in 52 h. The daily diurnal records of rainfall show a minimum between 0700 and 1300 h local time (local time = UT + 5.30 h) and diurnal maximum between 2200 and 0300 h local time for all the years. The seasonal variation of rainfall reveals that the peak season of monsoon ranges from June to September in the Garhwal region, which contributes about 50-90% to the annual rainfall. We also compared the observed results of rain gauges with TRMM-derived rainfall data and found a good correlation ranging from 0.6 to 0.9.

Keywords

Extreme Rainfall Events, Rain Gauge, Monsoon Season, Seasonal And Diurnal Variations.

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Ajoy K. Bhaumik ¹, Anil K. Gupta ², Steven C. Clemens ³, Richa Mazumder ⁴

Affiliations
1 Department of Applied Geology, Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad 826 004, IN
2 Department of Geology and Geophysics, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur 721 302, IN
3 Department of Geological Sciences, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912-1846, US
4 National Council for Cement and Building Materials, 34 km Stone, Delhi Mathura Road (NH-2), Ballabgarh 121 004, IN

Abstract

Morphometric study of Melonis barleeanum and Hoeglundina elegans was carried out on 15 core top samples from the Indian Ocean. Length to breadth ratios and wall and septal thicknesses of the largest tests of both the species from each sample, along with δ¹³C and δ¹⁸O values of Cibicides wuellerstorfi were measured. Both the species show equal growth rates of the test in their normal habitat. However, the high organic carbon preference species M. barleeanum shows more elongation of the test during food scarcity. This effect is not evident in H. elegans, which varies in its wall and septal thicknesses with bottom-water oxygen levels of the deep water mass up to 2000 m, probably to maintain the required rate of osmosis for the intake of dissolved O₂. Below this depth both parameters show parallel relationship with deviation indicating that oxygenation may play some role in the variation of wall and septal thicknesses. Thinning or thickening of the wall and septa in M. barleeanum and H. elegans has no relation with the water depth, indicating no relation with either the overlying pressure effect or nutrients as each deep water mass has a different nutrient budget. Depletion in δ¹³C and enrichment in δ¹⁸O below 2000 m water depth suggests that up to 2000 m depth, the Indian Ocean is bathed by the welloxygenated, low-nutrient North Atlantic Deep Water (NADW), whereas below 3000 m cold, nutrient-rich Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW) is dominant. Between 2000 and 3000 m water depths, the water mass in the Indian Ocean is a mixture of NADW and AABW.

Keywords

Benthic Foraminifera, Hoeglundina elegans, Melonis Barleeanum, Osmosis, Septal Thickness.

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Santosh K. Rai ¹, Sameer K. Tiwari ¹, S. K. Bartarya ¹, Anil K. Gupta ¹

Affiliations
1 Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, 33 GMS Road, Dehardun 248 001, IN

Abstract

Conventional energy resources are fast depleting and therefore alternative resources are required to sustain the fast progress and development of any nation. This situation is more pertinent to India where fast growing population and developmental activities are posing major challenges to the government as the country has limited resources of energy. Therefore, focused research should be intensified to explore the potential of geothermal energy resources in India. Realizing its importance, Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Dehradun, has started a major research programme to study geothermal systems of the Himalaya covering Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Leh-Ladakh regions of India.

Keywords

Carbon Dioxide Flux, Geothermal Provinces, Heat Pump Functional Unit, Thermal Springs.

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Atisha Sood ¹, Anjali Barwal ¹, Anil K. Gupta ¹, Jugal Kishore ²

Affiliations
1 National Institute of Disaster Management, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, New Delhi 110 001, IN
2 Department of Community Medicine, Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi 110 029, IN

Abstract

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is a new strain of pre-existing coronaviruses that caused the recent pandemic. Corona-viruses are also known to cause diseases like Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in humans. The 2019 coronavirus outbreak that originated from Wuhan, China has killed 1018 people globally and infected more than 40,000 people as on 11 February 2020 (ref.¹). It has been declared as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) by World Health Organization (WHO). COVID-19 is a zoonotic virus, that is, it is transmitted from animals to humans and causes disease. Although the animal source of COVID-19 has not yet been confirmed, it is likely to have originated from a wet market in China. The common signs of infection range from mild respiratory symptoms to severe pneumonia or even death. The disease can be transmitted from person to person via respiratory droplets from an infected person while sneezing, coughing or talking. The current estimates of the incubation period for the disease range from 2 to 14 days² .

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Som Dutt ¹, Anil K. Gupta ², Rahul Devrani ¹, Ram R. Yadav ¹, Raj K. Singh ³

Affiliations
1 Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, 33, General Mahadeo Singh Road, Dehradun 248 001, IN
2 Department of Geology and Geophysics, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur 721 302, IN
3 School of Earth, Ocean and Climate Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Bhubaneswar, Argul 752 050, IN

Abstract

The present study reveals distinct spatial variability of summer monsoon precipitation in Indian subcontinent during Northgrippian to Meghalayan transition. Protracted dry phase lasting ~1000 yrs was observed ~4.2 ka BP in southern and northwestern India whereas 200–300 yrs event occurred in northeastern parts. Strong El Niño conditions beginning ~4.3 kyr BP were associated with the millennial long dryness in western parts but its influence was limited in the eastern region. Cross-verified, high-resolution records from different geographic regions of India are still required to ascertain if regional differences occurred in span and magnitude during Northgrippian to Meghalayan transition.

Keywords

Indian summer monsoon, Indus civilization, Late Holocene, 4.2 ka event, Meghalayan age

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