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Application of Geospatial Techniques and the MCDM Method to Optimize Interlinking of Rivers in India
No full textAccess to freshwater is one of the most critical challenges in drought-prone regions of India due to climate change and population growth. However, societal costs due to people displacement are often ignored while evaluating interlinking of rivers (ILR) projects though people displacement is one of the most significant impacts of ILR projects in densely populated countries. Therefore, the authors expand the scope of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) by incorporating land use and land cover as key criteria in the Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) method. The project alternatives for the proposed Almatti-Pennar (A-P) ILR project developed in this study were evaluated by applying geospatial techniques and the MCDM method before consulting expert stakeholders to finalize the optimal configuration of this project. The optimal A-P ILR configuration will utilize the existing reservoirs and canal systems and reduce the length of the proposed 587 km long link canal by 200 km. This will expedite the ILR project by reducing project-related deforestation, people displacement, and cost. This integrated approach using geospatial techniques and the MCDM method can be applied to ILR projects to achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2 (zero hunger) and SDG target 6.1 (safe and affordable drinking water) by reducing water stress
Clay mineralogy and provenance modeling of the Paleoproterozoic Kaladgi shales, Dharwar Craton, Southern India: Implications on paleoweathering and source rock compositions
Get PDFProterozoic clastic sediments reveal vast information regarding provenance, depositional conditions, and environmental evolutions. Peninsular India comprising Archean cratons, also have numerous intracratonic Proterozoic sedimentary basins along their margins. The Archean Dharwar Craton in southern India has many Proterozoic successions, namely Cuddapah, Kurnool towards the East, and Kaladgi, Badami, and Bhima towards the northern margin. The Paleoproterozoic Kaladgi Basin (∼1.85 Ga) consists of siliciclastic sedimentary rocks with stromatolitic carbonate formations. XRD analysis of shale layers of the Lower Lokapur and Upper Simikere subgroups have been carried out to understand the primary clay mineral assemblages, weathering history, and provenance. The Lower and Upper shale layers of Lokapur and Simikere subgroups show a dominance of montmorillonite and kaolinite, respectively. The geochemical affinities and the clay mineral assemblages indicate a more mafic source to the lower shales (Manoli and Hebbal formations) and increased felsic contribution to the upper shales (Govindakoppa and Daddanhatti formations). Illite is ubiquitous in all the shales of the Kaladgi Supergroup possibly representing the diagenetic transformation of montmorillonite and kaolinite to illite. Geochemical modeling of provenance has been carried out using (Eu/Eu*)N, (La/Yb)N, (Gd/Yb)N, and (La/Sm)N of all the plausible source rocks and the average compositions of lower and upper shales. The modeling results suggest that the lower shales are derived from a source of mafic rocks – 45 %, K-rich granite – 35 %, and TTG – 20 %. While the upper shales are derived from source characterized by K-rich granites – 61 % and intermediate volcanic rocks – 39 %. These results signify the classical unroofing of TTG-greenstone belts exposing K-rich granites with the progression of sedimentation. Further, a good correlation between K-enrichment (a measure of % difference between CIA and pre-metasomatic CIA) and ƩLREE is attributed to the abundance of kaolinites that fractionate more LREE
Simulating organic aerosol in Delhi with WRF-Chem using the volatility-basis-set approach: exploring model uncertainty with a Gaussian process emulator
No full textThe nature and origin of organic aerosol in the atmosphere remain unclear. The gas–particle partitioning of semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) that constitute primary organic aerosols (POAs) and the multigenerational chemical aging of SVOCs are particularly poorly understood. The volatility basis set (VBS) approach, implemented in air quality models such as WRF-Chem (Weather Research and Forecasting model with Chemistry), can be a useful tool to describe emissions of POA and its chemical evolution. However, the evaluation of model uncertainty and the optimal model parameterization may be expensive to probe using only WRF-Chem simulations. Gaussian process emulators, trained on simulations from relatively few WRF-Chem simulations, are capable of reproducing model results and estimating the sources of model uncertainty within a defined range of model parameters. In this study, a WRF-Chem VBS parameterization is proposed; we then generate a perturbed parameter ensemble of 111 model runs, perturbing 10 parameters of the WRF-Chem model relating to organic aerosol emissions and the VBS oxidation reactions. This allowed us to cover the model's uncertainty space and to compare outputs from each run to aerosol mass spectrometer observations of organic aerosol concentrations and O:C ratios measured in New Delhi, India. The simulations spanned the organic aerosol concentrations measured with the aerosol mass spectrometer (AMS). However, they also highlighted potential structural errors in the model that may be related to unsuitable diurnal cycles in the emissions and/or failure to adequately represent the dynamics of the planetary boundary layer. While the structural errors prevented us from clearly identifying an optimized VBS approach in WRF-Chem, we were able to apply the emulator in the following two periods: the full period (1–29 May) and a subperiod period of 14:00–16:00 h LT (local time) on 1–29 May. The combination of emulator analysis and model evaluation metrics allowed us to identify plausible parameter combinations for the analyzed periods. We demonstrate that the methodology presented in this study can be used to determine the model uncertainty and to identify the appropriate parameter combination for the VBS approach and hence to provide valuable information to improve our understanding of OA production
Moon Missions:The Way Ahead (NIAS/CSS/ISSSP/U/RR/10/2023)
Get PDFThe lunar missions gained impetus in the 21st century after decades of lull. The newer sprite in lunar missions began with orbiter and impact missions, which included India’s moon -impact probe onboard the Chandrayaan 1, in 2008. Subsequent robotic missions included orbiters, landers and rovers as well as sample collection missions. The Lunar south polar regions which is under permanent shadow is expected to have reserves of water-ice, essential for lunar habitation and as a source for future deep space missions(space) operating from lunar surface. Other Lunar resources include helium 3 a potential source for nuclear fusion reactors and other minerals which can be commercially exploited and in-situ resource utilization. Consequently, number of countries, space agencies and private parties are keen on lunar exploration. This report details the lunar explorations carried out and being planned, the initiatives taken by leading space faring countries and the technological aspects of lunar exploration. The role of international cooperation is emphasized
Negotiating Development at the Margins:Natural Resources, Conflicts, and People’s Movements in Odisha
No full textThis book critically examines various facets of conflicts between people and the State arising due to the uneven distribution of natural resources. It provides an overview of the people’s movements in Odisha, a resource-rich state in eastern India, reflecting on the conceptual frameworks of conflict, violence and the struggle for rights and resources, and analyses the public policies around natural resources, alongside local strategies and governance.
Drawing from extensive field surveys in the villages of undivided Koraput and Kalahandi districts in Odisha, this volume explores the socio-political and economical aspects of people’s movements instead of solely viewing them as political and security threats. The authors demonstrate the misappropriations of these movements both by the state and non-state actors for their vested interests. This book offers recommendations for policymakers to draw up a more ready response to mitigate and minimize the conflict and violence and implement equitable policies around land and resources.
The volume will be an indispensable read for researchers and students of social history, social reform, tribal and indigenous studies, postcolonial studies, exclusion studies, development studies, political sociology, and South Asian Studies
