Post-monsoon Period Research Articles

Bio-efficacy of new fungicide, Tebuconazole- 430SC against coffee leaf rust disease, Hemileia vastatrix Berk and Broome

Coffee is an important plantation crop cultivated worldwide and used as stimulating drink. Coffee leaf rust (CLR) disease is one of the devastating disease affecting foliage of Coffee, limiting Coffee production worldwide. It is caused by an obligate parasite Hemileia vastatrix, which reduce photosynthetic area in turn results in heavy defoliation and die-back of branches. In India CLR management is accomplished with one contact fungicide spray (Bordeaux mixture @ 0.5%) and effective systemic fungicide spray during pre and post monsoon periods respectively. However, to find an alternative to the recommended fungicide the studies were conducted to know the efficacy of new fungicide Tebuconazole 430 SC against CLR. The results revealed that, in the laboratory conditions, complete inhibition of the uredospore germination was observed in Tebuconazole 430 SC @ 0.5 ml/L and 0.75 ml/L and Hexaconazole 5 EC @ 2 ml/L. However, in lower concentration Tebuconazole 430 SC @0.25 ml/L there was 98.97 per cent inhibition and in Copper Oxychloride 50 WP @ 5.5 g/L 87.49 per cent inhibition was observed over control. Field trials indicated that, at all the locations, Tebuconazole 430SC @ 0.75ml/L was found very effective which recorded maximum disease reduction followed by Tebuconazole 430SC @ 0.5ml/L which was found on-par with the currently recommended fungicide Hexaconazole 5 EC @ 2 ml/L and minimum disease reduction was observed in Copper oxychloride 50 WP @ 5.5g/L.

A Study on Water Quality and Macrophyte Diversity in Three Wetlands of Sambalpur District, Odisha from Ecosystem Management Perspective

Manmade wetlands provide many services that contribute to human well-being and poverty alleviation.Some groups of people, particularly those living near wetlands, are highly dependent on these services andare directly harmed by their degradation. We assessed overall ecological condition of two lentic and onelotic wetlands present in the periphery of Sambalpur town, Odisha, India. Wetland macrophytes weresampled through 1x1m2 quadrates and water quality parameters were studied following “Guide manual:water and wastewater analysis” by CPCB and APHA (1998)”. In the phytosociological study, 43 species ofmacrophytes were recorded belonging to 20 families in the 3 study sites. Both the lentic wetlands showedhighest diversity indices in postmonsoon period with emergent plants outnumbering free floating andsubmerged plants. This indicated that the hydrodynamic forces in lentic wetlands were not enough touproot the emergent plants. The present work showed that macrophytic diversity being negatively correlatedby all most all water quality parameters studied indicating considerable anthropogenic impact on thesesystems. Further PCA biplot showed large positive loadings on component 1 by water conductivity, TSS,TDS, NO3, and BOD that caused regionalization of three wetlands namely Durgapali pond (Site I), Kanjhurinalia/ canal (Site II), and Gobindtola canal (Site III) of Sambalpur town indicating differential antropogenicimpact as per their need. The study emphasized on immediate management of these wetlands specificallythe small lotic wetlands for promoting water health.

Effect of Biomass Burning, Diwali Fireworks, and Polluted Fog Events on the Oxidative Potential of Fine Ambient Particulate Matter in Delhi, India.

We investigated the influence of biomass burning (BURN), Diwali fireworks, and fog events on the ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) oxidative potential (OP) during the postmonsoon (PMON) and winter season in Delhi, India. The real-time hourly averaged OP (based on a dithiothreitol assay) and PM2.5 chemical composition were measured intermittently from October 2019 to January 2020. The peak extrinsic OP (OPv: normalized by the volume of air) was observed during the winter fog (WFOG) (5.23 ± 4.6 nmol·min-1·m-3), whereas the intrinsic OP (OPm; normalized by the PM2.5 mass) was the highest during the Diwali firework-influenced period (29.4 ± 18.48 pmol·min-1·μg-1). Source apportionment analysis using positive matrix factorization revealed that traffic + resuspended dust-related emissions (39%) and secondary sulfate + oxidized organic aerosols (38%) were driving the OPv during the PMON period, whereas BURN aerosols dominated (37%) the OPv during the WFOG period. Firework-related emissions became a significant contributor (∼32%) to the OPv during the Diwali period (4 day period from October 26 to 29), and its contribution peaked (72%) on the night of Diwali. Discerning the influence of seasonal and episodic sources on health-relevant properties of PM2.5, such as OP, could help better understand the causal relationships between PM2.5 and health effects in India.

Base flow simulation using a physically based subsurface model – The case of a tropical basin in the Western Ghats, India

A novel framework that integrally uses groundwater and streamflow observations to calibrate a physically based sub surface model to generate base flow on a daily time step is presented in this study. Trend analysis on mean annual base flow time series showed that a declining trend was present in the basin though the upstream humid region was devoid of any trend. GLUE analysis was adopted to the simulation of base flow in the humid region and the most sensitive parameters were identified as the recharge factor (rf) and discharge factor (pd). The model was able to satisfactorily simulate base flow as observed values fell within the 95CI bands for the calibration period. The mean annual BFI values were computed at Muthankera to be 0.236 ± 0.02. The mean seasonal BFI varied from 48 % during post monsoon periods to 21 % during monsoon periods. The base flow simulated by the model was comparable to the output from the Eckhardt filter which has been widely cited to be a suitable baseflow separation method for many river basins. Due to the absence of groundwater level data in the transition region, a combination of model and digital filter was used to calibrate that region. The draft from the groundwater storage computed from the model was found to be highly nonlinear. The rf was seen to be lower and pd to be higher in the transition region than in the humid region. This would imply that in the transition region, the base flow is generated more gradually in comparison to the humid region. This was characteristic of forested basins where the uptake of water by deep rooted trees during evapotranspiration from the unsaturated zone causes delay in the water table response which in turn could result in delay in the base flow generation process. The consequence of the calibration exercise on Kabini basin was establishing that the heterogeneity in terms of precipitation and land use has resulted in the distinct hydrologic responses from the two regions in the basin.

Tropical Cyclone Exposure in the North Indian Ocean

The North Indian Ocean is a region with a high coastal population and a low-lying delta, making it a high-risk region for tropical cyclone impacts. A 30-year period from 1989–2018 has been used to examine the TC landfalling exposure in the North Indian Ocean and its changes by considering 30 years of IBTrACs data, ERA5 atmospheric data, and 20 years of TRMM and DAV data. A total of 185 TCs made landfall in the NIO during the 30-year period with the majority of the TCs making landfall during the pre- and post-monsoon seasons. Rainfall associated with landfalling TCs decreased in the last 10 years of analysis (2009–2018) compared to the first 10 years of available data from 1999–2008. During the monsoon, TC activity is relatively lower compared to the post-monsoon periods, even though higher accumulated TC-associated rainfall typically occurs during the monsoon period, particularly along the eastern coastlines of the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal. The TC winds impact most of the Bay of Bengal coastline, including Sri Lanka. The spatial distribution of landfalling TCs changes with the season, with most of the landfalling activity occurring during the pre- and post-monsoon periods. Interestingly, more recent TC activity has shifted to the northeast India and Bangladesh coasts, suggesting that these regions may be more vulnerable to TC impacts in the future.

Dominance of autochthonous trophic base in northeast Asian stream food webs pre- and post-monsoon

Spatial and temporal variability in the trophic base of food webs is an inevitable ecological attribute in aquatic ecosystems with the role of aquatic and terrestrial sources varying from system to system. Despite high algal biomass, an apparent increase in terrestrial detritus during the East Asian summer monsoon would be expected to alter the dominant food web base from the pre- to post-monsoon period. The δ13C and δ15N values of common aquatic invertebrates and fish were compared with those of their potential sources of organic matter across the upstream channel and lacustrine habitats during the pre- and post-monsoon periods in the Se-oak Stream system of Korea. The purpose was to identify the variability in trophic structure (niche and diversity) at the community level and to quantify the contribution of terrestrial and aquatic carbon sources to the food web base. The δ13C and δ15N values of the major potential organic matter sources differentiated allochthonous leaf litter and riparian vegetation from autochthonous biofilm and seston, but with no significant spatial and temporal changes. The δ13C values of consumers fell within a narrower range than that of organic matter sources, consistent with the instream biofilm and seston values. However, the consumer δ15N values spanned a broad range, increasing from invertebrates to fish. The resultant niche overlaps of consumers in the isotopic niche space between seasons and locations, their narrower horizontal niche breadths compared to organic matter sources, and the isotope mixing-model estimates indicated that aquatic production was the primary source of organic matter supporting the aquatic food webs. Overall, the results revealed a consistent dominance of autochthonous trophic bases in both lotic and lentic food webs before and after the summer monsoon. Our findings, which highlight the trophic importance of aquatic algal production facilitated by anthropogenic nutrients in this shallow, low-turbidity, and well-illuminated stream food web, may provide insight into ecosystem processes that counteract potential terrestrial-aquatic links to influence food web dynamics based on natural nutrient sources in deep, highly turbid, or shaded stream counterparts.

ХАРАКТЕРИСТИКИ ГРОЗОВЫХ ОБЛАКОВ МУССОННОГО И ПОСТМУССОННОГО ПЕРИОДОВ В ИНДИИ

A study of the radar characteristics of thunderclouds in India for the monsoon and post-monsoon seasons was carried out, separately for the cloud-to-ground and cloud-to-cloud discharges. It is shown that almost all the considered characteristics (cloud top height, precipitation flux and precipitation rate, maximum radar reflectivity, etc.) increase during the post-monsoon period. A feature of monsoon clouds is low electrical activity, which is confirmed by the results of the study. The characteristics of clouds during the transition to the thunderstorm stage are considered, the most significant of them are identified.

Impact of differential surface water mixing on seasonal arsenic mobilization in shallow aquifers of Nadia district; western Bengal Basin, India

Arsenic (As) mobilization in groundwater is linked to the dissimilatory reductive dissolution of As(V) coated Fe(III)-oxy-hydroxides from the aquifer sediment coupled with the degradation of available dissolved organic carbon (DOC) due to the presence of anaerobic microbes under anoxic conditions. Understanding the seasonal pattern of As mobilization in the shallow groundwater of the Bengal Basin remains a challenging task due to the heterogeneous character of the shallow aquifers and the involvement of multiple factors. To resolve this issue, in the present study, we showcased a comprehensive effort to advance understanding of the seasonal As mobilization process in the shallow groundwater, utilizing multiple geochemical tracers (i.e., the abundance of dissolved total As, Fe, Mn, NO3–, SO42-, DOC, Cl-, and δ18O, δ2H, δ13C-DOC isotopic tracers) between post-monsoon and pre-monsoon periods over multiple years from Nadia district, West Bengal, India. We quantified and explained the seasonal variation of dissolved total As concentrations in the groundwaters with the nature of the aquifer lithology (i.e., grey sand aquifer or ‘GSA’ and brown sand aquifer or ‘BSA’). The present study reported elevated dissolved total As concentrations in the shallow groundwater samples during dry pre-monsoon (‘PRM’) periods compared to post-monsoon (‘POM’) time. However, the magnitude of such seasonal changes in groundwater As concentrations (denoted as ΔAs = AsPRM-AsPOM) varied between years depending on the extent of rainfall, surface water infiltration, mixing, and groundwater withdrawal. Our current findings are different from the past studies that reported elevated As concentrations in the shallow groundwater during the monsoon and post-monsoon periods compared to the dry pre-monsoon periods. However, the limitations of the past findings are that most of the previous studies were carried out between seasonal intervals over a single annual cycle without reinvestigating the seasonal trends over different years under variable hydrological conditions. We proposed that the excess groundwater withdrawal during the dry pre-monsoon period drive draw-down and, therefore, trigger infiltration of surface-derived deep pond water into the shallow aquifer. Such surface water infiltration introduces fresh labile organic matter into the shallow aquifer, promoting high As mobilization during the dry pre-monsoon period. A viable alternative approach of ‘squeezing’ of aquifer intercalated clay-peat sedimentary lenses and mixing of organic-rich pore water in the adjoining groundwater can also enhance high As mobilization during the dry time, as examined in this study. This process is triggered by the excessive groundwater withdrawal practices and drawdown encountered during dry time, driving the aquifer intercalated clay-pockets compaction.

Bharuch District, Gujarat, India: Factor analysis and geographical distribution of water quality characteristics

The goal of this study was to use statistical methods to create baseline data on uranium and associated physicochemical characteristics in the Bharuch district. The district is 6,527 km2 in size and is situated at 21.7051° N, 72.9959° E. Factor analysis is a crucial tool in statistical analytical approaches for obtaining general relationship between measured varaibles. For the study, 144 samples were collected from the Bharuch district of Gujarat during the pre-monsoon (PRMNS) and post-monsoon (POMNS) seasons. A portable multi-parameter water analysis tool was used to test in-situ water quality parameters on-site. In the laboratory, the uranium concentration and the other parameters were examined. Principle component analysis was performed on the data that led to reduction of 18 parameters to 6 during PRMNS and POMNS periods. The eigenvalue-extracted factor generated 86.01 percent and 86.017 percent variation in the PRMNS and POMNS, respectively.

Columnar aerosol optical depth, water vapor and ozone over a semi-arid urban location of western India: Potential sources and direct radiative effects

Continuous measurements of Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD), columnar water vapor (WV) and Ozone (O3) concentrations were made over a semi-arid urban location Rajkot (22.29°N, 70.74°E, and 142 m AMSL) in the western India. The annual mean values of AOD, WV and O3 were 0.37 ± 0.15, 1.44 ± 0.6 gm cm−2 and 243 ± 18 DU during 2016–2019. AOD showed large seasonal variability mostly dominated by abundant coarse mode aerosols (Angstrom Exponent, AE < 0.65 and AOD ∼ 0.37) during pre-monsoon and monsoon, mainly caused by wind-blown and transported dust from nearby Thar and Kutch desert. Mixture of fine and coarse mode aerosols were abundant (AE = 1.13 ± 0.26) during post-monsoon influenced by both anthropogenic and natural sources. Columnar WV were also higher in pre-monsoon and monsoon seasons. The O3 concentrations is higher during pre-monsoon (247 DU) and lower during monsoon (230 DU). The vertical distribution of aerosol extinction coefficient derived from satellite (CALIPSO) based observations revealed the dominance of dust aerosols (∼74 %) in pre-monsoon; smoke and polluted dust in winter and post monsoon period. The trajectory clusters and concentration weighted trajectory maps also indicated the combined effect of anthropogenic (especially from the northern part of India) and natural aerosol sources during the post-monsoon period. Associated with the higher anthropogenic components during post-monsoon season, aerosol direct radiative forcing depicted surface dimming as high as − 48.7 ± 12.6 Wm−2, resulting in atmospheric forcing of 42.6 ± 12.5 Wm−2.

Assessing influence of anthropogenic and environmental factors on surface water quality for sustainable management of urban lakes: A case study from Udaipur, India

Abstract The influence of natural and anthropogenic factors has caused significant impacts on surface water quality worldwide, particularly where monitoring mechanisms are weak or non-existent. Weathering and soil erosion from the lake catchment areas, the inflow of large number of tourists, drainage outlets, etc. pose a serious threat to two urban lakes, namely, Pichola and Fateh Sagar in Udaipur, Rajasthan, India. Subsequently, stringent water quality monitoring programmes are required to assess the water quality of these two lakes in two distinct seasons, i.e., pre-monsoon and post-monsoon. In this research study, the measured physicochemical parameters were computed for the water quality index (WQI), organic pollution index (OPI), and eutrophication index (EI) to evaluate the health of these lakes. The Pichola Lake had shown elevated concentrations for EC, TDS, DO, BOD, COD, TH, Cl−, Ca2+, Mg2+, SO42− as compared to Fateh Sagar. The mean nutrient concentrations were recorded to be higher in Pichola Lake (TN 3.99 mg/L; TP 0.15 mg/L) as compared to Fateh Sagar (TN 2.50 mg/L; TP 0.003 mg/L). The lower values registered in the post-monsoon period were due to the dilution effect caused by the rainfall and influx of runoff water. These two lakes contribute significant ecological and economic value to the area, helping to meet the water requirements for the surrounding population, agricultural practices, and tourists. Therefore, the present study can provide essential information about taking up appropriate measures to protect the water quality of urban lakes and the need to implement better management policies and initiatives for the same.

Variabilities of δ13C and carbonaceous components in ambient PM2.5 in Northeast India: Insights into sources and atmospheric processes

A year-long sampling campaign of ambient PM2.5 (particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter ≤2.5 mm) at a regional station in the North-Eastern Region (NER) of India was performed to understand the sources and formation of carbonaceous aerosols. Mass concentration, carbon fractions (organic and elemental carbon), and stable carbon isotope ratio (δ13C) of PM2.5 were measured and studied along with cluster analysis and Potential Source Contribution Function (PSCF) modelling. PM2.5 mass concentration was observed to be highest during winter and post-monsoon seasons when the meteorological conditions were relatively stable compared to other seasons. Organic carbon (OC) concentration was more than two times higher in the post-monsoon and winter seasons than in the pre-monsoon and monsoon seasons. Air mass back trajectory cluster analysis showed the dominance of local and regional air masses during winter and post-monsoon periods. In contrast, long-range transported air masses influenced the background site in pre-monsoon and monsoon. Air mass data and PSCF analysis indicated that aerosols during winter and post-monsoon are dominated by freshly generated emissions from local sources along with the influence from regional transport of polluted aerosols. On the contrary, the long-range transported air masses containing aged aerosols were dominant during pre-monsoon. No significant variability was observed in the range of δ13C values (−28.2‰ to −26.4‰) during the sampled seasons. The δ13C of aerosols indicates major sources to be combustion of biomass/biofuels (C3 plant origin), biogenic aerosols, and secondary aerosols. The δ13C variability and cluster/PSCF modelling suggest that aged aerosols (along with enhanced photo-oxidation derived secondary aerosols) influenced the final δ13C during the pre-monsoon. On the other hand, lower δ13C in winter and post-monsoon is attributed to the freshly emitted aerosols from biomass/biofuels.

A Study of the Profile of Scrub Typhus in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Jharkhand: An Underestimated Problem.

Background and objectiveScrub typhus (ST) is a rickettsial infection caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi, which is transmitted by the bite of the larval stage (chiggers) of trombiculid mites. Although it presents as an acute undifferentiated febrile illness (AUFI), its course can be complicated with acute respiratory distress syndrome, acute kidney injury (AKI), myocarditis, meningoencephalitis, hepatitis, multi-organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS), and ultimately death. This study aimed to evaluate the epidemiological features, clinical profile, laboratory features, and clinical outcomes of cases of scrub typhus and identify the predictors of disease severity.Methods and materialsThis study is a retrospective observational study that included confirmed cases of scrub typhus admitted in the medical wards and critical care unit (CCU) of Tata Main Hospital (TMH) from January 1, 2019, to December 31, 2021. The case records of patients were analyzed for demographic characteristics, clinical features, treatment, and outcomes, which included length of stay (LOS), complications, and mortality. The required odds ratio (OR) was calculated, univariate and binary regression analyses were done, and a p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsOf the 42 confirmed cases, 38.1% were males and 61.9% were females. The average age of male patients was 12.6 ± 11.2 years, while that of females was 22 ± 19.3 years. Of the patients, 64.3% were in the age group of 1-20 years. The clinical manifestations in descending order were fever (71.2%), skin rash (19.1%), cough (16.7%), vomiting (28.6%), altered sensorium (23.8%), abdominal pain (23.8%), loose stools (14.3%), seizures (14.3%), anasarca (9.7%), breathlessness (9.7%), and melena (7.1%). Eschar was noted in 38.1% of patients. Swelling of the body (6.7%) and lymphadenopathy (10%) were seen exclusively in children. The common laboratory abnormalities observed were leukocytosis in 34.3% of cases; thrombocytopenia in 68.8% of cases, of which 25% of patients had platelets < 50,000/mm3; and transaminitis in 87.5% of cases. The ratio of AST/ALT of more than one was seen in 89.3% of patients, while it was less than one in 10.7% of patients. The average C-reactive protein (CRP) level was 10.9 ± 6.3 mg/dL. The complications noted were acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) (16.7%), meningoencephalitis (21.4%), septic shock (14.3%), capillary leak syndrome (26.2%), thrombocytopenia (68.8%), transaminitis (87.5%), myocarditis (4.8%), disseminated intravascular coagulation (2.4%), and hypocalcemia (11.9%). The average length of stay (LOS) was 8.1 ± 4.2 days. Twenty-four (57.2%) patients required transfer to the critical care unit (CCU) for managing various complications. There was no mortality in this series, giving rise to the case fatality ratio (CFR) of 0.ConclusionScrub typhus is a reemerging cause of acute febrile illness. The highest number of cases were found during the post-monsoon period and in those with rural backgrounds. It presents with varying clinical manifestations with or without eschar. Hence, a high degree of suspicion along with a thorough clinical examination is needed to diagnose this condition. The disease responds dramatically to doxycycline. One must be aware of its complications and atypical presentations, as a timely diagnosis can reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with this disease.

Seasonal Variation in Microphysical Characteristics of Precipitation at the Entrance of Water Vapor Channel in Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon

Mêdog is located at the entrance of the water vapor channel in the Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon (YGC). This area has the largest annual accumulated rainfall totals and precipitation frequency on the Tibetan Plateau (TP). This paper investigates the seasonal variation in raindrop size distribution (DSD) characteristics in Mêdog based on disdrometer observations from 1 July 2019 to 30 June 2020. The DSD characteristics are examined under six rain rate classes and two rainfall types (stratiform and convective) in the winter, premonsoon, monsoon and postmonsoon periods. The highest (lowest) concentration of small raindrops is observed in monsoon (winter) precipitation, whereas large raindrops predominate in premonsoon precipitation. For stratiform rainfall, the mean mass-weighted mean diameter (Dm) exhibits overlooked differences in the four periods, while the mean normalized intercept parameter (Nw) is significantly higher in the monsoon period than in the other three periods. The convective rainfall in the monsoon and postmonsoon periods is characterized by a high concentration of limited-size drops and can be classified as maritime-like. This is probably attributed to abundant warm and humid airflow transported by the Indian Ocean monsoon into Mêdog. The westerly winds prevail over the TP during the premonsoon period, and thereby the premonsoon convective rainfall in Mêdog has a larger mean Dm and a lower mean Nw. In addition, the relationships of radar reflectivity Z and rain rate R for different precipitation types in different periods are also derived. A better understanding of the seasonal variation in the microphysical characteristics of precipitation in Mêdog is important for improving the microphysical parameterization scheme and the precipitation forecast of models on the TP.

Seasonal Waterlogging Variation in the Sylhet City Corporation Area, Bangladesh- an Integrated Geospatial Approach

Waterlogging is considered a severe environmental hazard in the Sylhet city corporation (SCC) area of northeast Bangladesh adversely affects the local socio-economic development. The integrated geospatial approach presents a worthy alternative to the conventional mapping of waterlogged surface areas. The remote sensing-based water index technique was used for delineating pre-monsoon and post-monsoon waterlogged areas of SCC in 2020 and 2021. Seasonal deviations of the waterlogging were determined by overlaying the waterlogged sites emanated from the pre-monsoon and post-monsoon periods under the GIS environment. Results show that waterlogged areas for pre-monsoon and post-monsoon seasons in 2020 are 2.25 sq. km and 4.12 sq. km, respectively, whereas 2.22 sq. km and 3.90 sq. km in 2021. Hence, the seasonal variations in waterlogged areas in 2020 and 2021 are 1.87 sq. km and 1.68 sq. km, respectively. This analysis also demonstrates that waterlogging in SCC is utterly driven by the high seasonal variations that mainly depend on the amount of rainfall besides the local flood-prone geologic settings and climate change.

Assessment of groundwater quality in parts of Bikaner District, Rajasthan

Rajasthan's Bikaner District, part of the Thar Desert, is experiencing problems with falling groundwater levels, high salinity, fluoride and nitrate concentrations. Therefore, groundwater quality studies are underway to determine the suitability of groundwater for drinking purposes in the Bikaner district. Quality analysis is performed using parameters such as Conductivity (EC), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), pH, Calcium, Potassium, Sodium, Nitrate, Sulfate, Chloride, Fluoride, magnesium, total hardness (TH) and Bicarbonate. Conductivity, TDS and TH increases were observed in the post-monsoon period. No such changes were observed in the sulphate, nitrate and fluoride concentrations after the rains. Most of the study areas have high salinity and are therefore unsuitable for consumption. However, all other chemical parameters are within the maximum allowable limits according to the BIS standard. Unconventional energy use desalination of groundwater is proposed to provide sustainable drinking water. Various industrial and mining man-made recharge structures (Pits with Borehole Technique) near the villages, resulting in higher groundwater levels and improved quality in neighboring areas. Success stories can be replicated in similar geographic environments. Large-scale artificial rainwater harvesting/storage/replenishment of potential aquifers is another management alternative, which can improve the chemical quality of groundwater.

Water quality characterization and pollution source apportionment in the Himalayan river flowing through Jammu City, India, using multivariate statistical approach and geospatial techniques.

The present study evaluates and characterizes the water quality of River Tawi in Jammu city of Union Territory of J&K, using water quality index, multivariate statistical methods, and geospatial techniques. Water quality parameters were measured at fourteen selected sites along a 12 km (approx.) stretch of river (passing through the city) over two seasons (pre-monsoon and post-monsoon) using standard methods. Water quality index (WQI) results demonstrated spatial and temporal variations and the pollution level of the river increased from upstream to downstream sites. Calculated WQI revealed 35.71% of the water samples in the unfit for drinking category, 28.57% in good and poor category each, and 7.14% samples in very poor drinking water category during the study period. Comparison of analysis results with the drinking water standards prescribed by the World Health Organization and Bureau of Indian standards recorded elevated ranges of parameters like turbidity, BOD, total alkalinity, nitrate, and faecal coliform beyond the permissible limits. Hierarchical cluster analysis has transformed the sites into two clusters during pre-monsoon and three clusters during post-monsoon season indicating more water quality variation during post-monsoon season. Principal component analysis resulted in two PCs for the water quality, explaining 80.827% and 73.672% of the variance for pre-monsoon and post-monsoon periods. The prepared WQI maps confirmed and depicted deterioration of river water quality towards the midstream and downstream sites of the river basin. Entry of major sewage drains from the city particularly at the midstream sites and dumping of solid waste and agricultural runoff towards the downstream sites of the river constituted the main anthropogenic sources that decreased the river water quality. The study establishes first step towards spatial zoning of River Tawi based on pollution level which would help in improving the river water quality through proper basin management. The study also recommends installation of sewage treatment plants particularly at the midstream and downstream sites.

Comparative Study on Lake Chemical Parameters of Varanda and Ankarsol Ka Naka in Dungarpur District, Rajasthan

The present investigation was carried out to high-lights the comparative water quality status of two water bodies Varanda and Ankarsol ka Naka of district Durgapur. The Study was conducted during the post monsoon period. Limno-chemical parameters are important criteria for determining the suitability of water for fish production. Water quality was determined by various parameters like turbidity, water color, pH, alkalinity, hardness, calcium, nitrate, Fluoride DO, etc. On the basis of results of water quality parameters in general, reservoir, Akarsol ka Naka having much more dissolve oxygen 6.8 mg/l as compare to Varanda i.e., 5.6 mg/l. it was also recorded that Akarsol ka Naka has significant low level of fluoride 0.05 mg/l as compare to Varanda 0.35 mg/l. Other parameters were also observed that Akarsol ka Naka showed low concentration of Calcium 28.0 mg/l as compare to 60.0 mg/l Varanda. There was no significant amount of Nitrate content found in both the water bodies. These water bodies are rain fed with some limited catchment area and water level exhibits fluctuations in season to season. Thus the present study indicates that the Ankarsol ka Naka reservoir is more productive for fish culture as compare to Varanda reservoir.

Classification of groundwater using multivariate statistical methods: a case study from a part of Haryana, northwestern India.

This article aimed to estimate the local underground water associations, which will, in turn, be applied to discuss the location of each underground water cluster in the flow system. Additionally, this investigation intended to evaluate underground water's aptness from aquifers of the study area for domestic agricultural activities and the prime sources of alteration in the water chemistry. Geographically, the region does not have the privilege of the river (except the Yamuna in the eastern part) running through it and thus, has to rely heavily on groundwater. Therefore, it is necessary to study the groundwater characteristics in this region. This investigation manifested two sub-surface water associations (groups) showing two prime underground water types in the study area: the calcium-magnesium-bicarbonate water-types, groups (clusters) 1 member; and the sodium-bicarbonate-chloride water-types consisting of Group 2 members during post-monsoon and pre-monsoon periods. Group 1 is typical of underground water in recharge regions of the underground water flow system. It is the cleanest underground water type in part except for a few groundwater samples. The highest mean salinity was vested in group 2, the signature of underground waters in discharge regions of the underground water flow system. This investigation observes that three principal elements controlled the hydro-chemistry of underground water in the study area: chemical fertilizers from farms, carbonate mineral weathering, calcite, fluorite, silicate minerals, and exchange of cations in the region. All the underground water groups had high sodium (Na) concentrations and will cause the Na-hazard when applied for agricultural activities. Most samples of groups 1 and 2 were within the class II and I area of Doneen's plot during both periods and were therefore acceptable for agricultural activities in the investigation region.

Hydrogeochemical characterization, multi-exposure deterministic and probabilistic health hazard evaluation in groundwater in parts of Northern India

This work attempts to identify the latent factors controlling the hydrogeochemistry and assess the groundwater quality and associated health risks in the intermontane valley of Nalagarh in the sub-Himalayan zone in northern India. Analytical results of 64 groundwater samples, 32 each collected during pre monsoon and post monsoon seasons show contrasting results for their major chemical constituents. During pre monsoon period, only 3% of the samples exceed their permissible limits for pH, EC, TH and Mg2+, while during post monsoon period, different parameters, such as TH, Mg2+ and K+, exceed their limits by 9, 16, and 3%, respectively. Gibbs and Piper diagrams reveal that groundwater chemistry is mainly controlled by water-sediment (alluvial) interaction. Geochemical signatures and saturation index (SI) further indicate that the weathering and dissolution of silicate, calcite and dolomite minerals mainly contributed to dominance of Ca2+, Mg2+ and HCO3 - ions in the aquifers. Monte Carlo simulation ascertains non-carcinogenic health risks due to NO3 − and F− in different sub-population groups. Deterministic and probabilistic estimates of these parameters via ingestion and dermal routes confirm their percentage hazard toxicity in the order infants (58.38; 39.62%) >children (15.62; 15.85%) >teens (6.25; 2.73%) >adults (6.25; 1.90%) for pre monsoon. The hazard toxicity for deterministic study implies only on infants (9.38%), whereas, the probabilistic simulation extracted the health risk on infants (6.57%), and children (0.58%) during post monsoon. Minor populations with their lower body weights are more vulnerable to groundwater pollution due to greater consumption of liquid diet. Therefore, treated groundwater is strongly recommended to mitigate health morbidities linked with the non-cancerous risks.