Department Of Geology
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Item The first report of cf. Zygolophodon (Mammalia, Proboscidea, Mammutidae) from the Upper Miocene of Kutch, India(Taylor and Francis Ltd., 2023-04-25T00:00:00) Choudhary, Deepak; Jukar, Advait M.; Patnaik, Rajeev; Singh, Nongmaithem Amardas; Singh, Ningthoujam Premjit; Milankumar Sharma, K.[No abstract available]Item Lepidosauromorphs and associated vertebrate fauna from the Late Triassic Tiki Formation, South Rewa, Gondwana basin, India: implication for paleoenvironment and paleobiogeography(Springer Nature, 2023-03-27T00:00:00) Singh, Y. Priyananda; Sharma, K. Milankumar; Tiwari, Raghavendra Prasad; Patnaik, Rajeev; Singh, Nongmaithem Amardas; Singh, Ningthoujam PremjitTiki Formation is well known for the presence of rich vertebrate fossil assemblages including archosaurians, cynodonts, xenacanthids, hybodonts and actinopterygians in the Gondwana succession of India. Here, we report indeterminate Sphenodontia and indeterminate Lepidosauromorpha from the Late Triassic Tiki Formation. The presently reported early diverging lepidosauromorphs might have fed on small invertebrates and small vertebrates/insects. The presence of early diverging lepidosauromorphs from the Tiki Formation extends their geographic range from Europe, N. America and S. America to the Indian sub-continent during the Late Triassic Period. Further, the reports of archosauromorph assemblages and the aquatic vertebrates from the Tiki Formation have strengthened the idea of affinities of vertebrate assemblages between Laurasia and Gondwana sub-continents of the Pangea. � 2023, Indian National Science Academy.Item Climate Change Impact on Major River Basins in the Indian Himalayan Region: Risk Assessment and Sustainable Management(Springer International Publishing, 2023-03-10T00:00:00) Amrutha, K.; Patnaik, Rasmi; Sandeep, A.S.; Pattanaik, Jitendra KumarBillions of people relay on water resources of the Himalayan region for drinking, irrigation, and other domestic purposes. Abundance of natural resources makes this region suitable for human settlements, despite the fact that the area experiences frequent natural hazards. Water resources including major rivers are one of the important components, responsible for high biodiversity of the Himalayas and its role in global atmospheric circulation. Recent climate changes have proved to affect the precipitation pattern and ice cover of the Himalayas, causing variations in the dynamics of rivers in the area. Climate change�induced variation in river flow quantity, timing, and unpredictability raises the danger of ecological changes and has a negative impact on aquatic life and the ecosystem depending on rivers. Agriculture is one important sector that is at highest risk due to climate change. This is a serious concern as the runoff patterns of the rivers are mainly determined by the precipitation pattern and ice cover in the upper reaches. Reduction in ice cover reduces the water storage capacity of the Himalayas, and fluctuations in the precipitation pattern cause floods and droughts. The increased frequency of natural hazards including floods and droughts affects the economy and is a threat to people�s life. Climate change effects on water resources, namely, Himalayan snow and ice reservoirs and lake and river systems and the risk associated with it, can be monitored using different hydrological models. To cover vast geographical areas of the Himalayan region, adequate hydrological observatories need to be installed in order to monitor and record time series data of the hydrological parameters. Systematic monitoring will help to predict how climate change will affect water resources in the future. Sustainable management of local resources based on suitable practices, adaptation strategies, and need-specific policies relevant to basin climate can further reduce frequent climate change-related impacts, risk, and vulnerability. � The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2023.Item Clay minerals as paleo-climate proxy in Quaternary Dun sediments, NW Himalaya, India(Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH, 2023-10-17T00:00:00) Amrutha, K.; Ahmad, Samad; Kumar, Pankaj; Pattanaik, Jitendra KumarPurpose: Clay mineral assemblages are widely used for deciphering paleoclimatic information, where diagenetic and detrital clays provide different signatures. The type and amount of clay present in the alluvial fan sediments account for the prevailing climate, topography, transport dynamics, diagenesis, and lithology of the catchment area. Clay mineral analysis of sediments collected from the younger lobe of Kiratpur Fan, Pinjaur dun, NW Himalaya, will help to understand the late-Quaternary climatic perturbations during marine isotope stage (MIS)-3 and to evaluate the suitability of clay minerals as paleoclimatic proxy. Materials and methods: Samples were collected from three sites along the Kiratpur Nadi near Paploha village, Haryana, where exposed sections had a total height of ~ 28�m. In this study, 31 samples from these sediment sections were collected and after initial processing, clay minerals were separated and oriented slides were prepared. These samples were analysed using X-ray diffractometer (XRD) with/without glycolation and heating treatments. One aliquot of dried clay from selected samples were used for FTIR to complement the XRD analysis. For FTIR analysis, about 1�mg of clay samples was mixed with ~ 10�mg of KBr and press pellets were prepared. Results and discussion: The clay fraction of these sediments constitute illite (~ 52 � 0.8%), kaolinite (~ 13 � 1.6%), and chlorite-montmorillonite interstratified clay (~ 35 � 1.5%). Shale and mudstone distributed in the catchment area might be the source of these clay minerals. Illite chemistry index of ~ 0.37 � 0.14, kaolinite/illite ratio (0.21�0.29), illite crystallinity (IC) (0.23 � 0.04), and kaolinite percentage suggest the dominance of physical weathering in the catchment area. These sediments are generated during a cold and dry period, and deposited during an aggradational phase associated with warm and wet phase within MIS-3 (40�30 Ka). Further, it was found that illite is the dominant clay throughout the Himalayas, Ganga plain, and Bay of Bengal (BoB) sediments, irrespective of their distance from the source. Hence, associating illite to younger and less-transported sediment does not work in this setting. Conclusion: Though the proxies based on clay percentage is very useful, only limited data is available. There is a significant difference in the value of IC in the Himalayan front and BoB sediments may be due to the modifications during the transportation of sediments. Overall, when sediments are transported for a longer distance, correlating clay mineral percentage with the maturity of sediment is not apparent. � 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.Item Open Science: Challenges, Possible Solutions and the Way Forward(Springer Nature, 2022-09-02T00:00:00) Chakravorty, Nishant; Sharma, Chandra Shekhar; Molla, Kutubuddin A.; Pattanaik, Jitendra KumarEveryone agrees that scientific communication should be free for all. Unfortunately, accessing publications from many reputed journals comes at a high cost�a cost that many researchers and institutions cannot afford. Although,�open-access publication model�is considered by many as a possible route to ensure that�science�is free for all; however, it is fraught with its own challenges. This review attempts at exploring the possibilities of keeping�science�accessible. Firstly, we re-visit the meaning of �open�science� as a comprehensive concept which includes�open�source, data, access, resources, peer review etc. and not merely�open�access publication model. Next, we have discussed the global initiatives towards�open�access�the Budapest�Open�Access Initiative, Bethesda Statement on�Open�Access Publishing, Berlin Declaration on�Open�Access to Knowledge in the�Sciences�and Humanities, cOAlition S and its Plan S initiative, UNESCO Recommendation on Open Science and the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA). Following this we have included the�various open�access initiatives from India. In the next part, we have focused on problems with dissemination of�scientific�outcomes and the challenges associated with existing publication models. Finally, we explore the possible solutions to the existing challenges, which include promotion of pre-print servers and other ideas that we have detailed in the manuscript. � 2022, Indian National Science Academy.Item First report on late Miocene (Tortonian: ~ 11�10�Ma) charophyte gyrogonites from Tapar, Kachchh District, Gujarat State, western India(Springer Nature, 2022-09-05T00:00:00) Singh, Nongmaithem Amardas; Singh, Ningthoujam Premjit; Sharma, K. Milankumar; Patnaik, Rajeev; Tiwari, R.P.; Sehgal, Ramesh Kumar; Kumar, Vinay; Wazir, Wasim Abass; Singh, Y. Priyananda; Choudhary, DeepakThis paper describes the first record of charophyte gyrogonites from the late Miocene (Tortonian; ~ 11�10�Ma) Tapar locality of Kachchh, Gujarat State, western India. The recovered charophyte assemblage is constituted by Chara globularis var. aspera, C. globularis var. globularis, Lychnothamnus cf. sahnii, Lychnothamnus sp. and Nitellopsis sp. In addition, the present article discusses the palaeoenvironment based on the recorded charophyte gyrogonites (this study) and previously known faunal data (mainly vertebrates) from the Tapar locality, Kutch Basin, western India. Further, considering the significant extension of the biostratigraphic range [especially the First Appearance Datum (FAD)] of fauna from the Kutch Basin (in particular from the Tapar locality), we herein make an attempt to compare biostratigraphically the faunal assemblages from Kutch with those from the Siwalik Group, north India. � 2022, Indian National Science Academy.Item Application of analytical hierarchy process and GIS techniques to delineate the groundwater potential zones in and around Jorhat and Majuli areas of eastern Assam, India(Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH, 2022-10-26T00:00:00) Bordoloi, Abhiraj; Singh, Kshetrimayum Krishnakanta; Gaichunglu, GangmeiGroundwater is regarded as prominently reliable natural resources available as fresh water. However, as the world advances at a tremendous rate, this hidden water resource is exposing continuous threats owing to numerous factors, such as improper uses, over-exploitation and quality contamination. The present study emphasizes on such challenges, especially on groundwater exploration in northeast region, India with the application of remote-sensing and GIS methods. Groundwater acts as a primary source of water supply for household and agricultural purposes in the study area. Parameters, such as rainfall, geomorphology, drainage density, lithology, LU/LC, soil, lineament density, slope and well yield data, were selected to prepare thematic maps. The thematic maps were created in remote sensing and GIS platforms and specific ranks and weights were assigned to each. A pair-wise examination of all the factors affecting the groundwater potential zone (GPZ) was used to derive the weights using an analytical hierarchy process and a multi-criteria decision-making approach to generate GPZ. Five potential zones have been classified as poor, fair, moderate, good and excellent. Based on the data obtained, the poor potential zone comprises 0.083% (2.11 km2), the fair groundwater zone consists of 7.21% (183 km2), the moderate zone contributes 27.4% (694.8 km2), the good zone shows 43.6% (1105.9 km2) and the excellent zone represents 21.7% (549.8 km2), respectively. Thus, such approach is proved to be effective, convenient and reliable as compared to other expensive and time-consuming techniques for groundwater mapping especially in a remotely located terrain. � 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.Item Evolution of the Permo-Triassic Satpura Gondwana Basin, Madhya Pradesh, India: Insights from geochemical provenance and palaeoclimate of the siliciclastic sediments(John Wiley and Sons Ltd, 2022-10-19T00:00:00) Singh, Yumlembam Priyananda; Kingson, Oinam; Sharma, Kongrailatpam Milankumar; Ghosh, Prosenjit; Patnaik, Rajeev; Tiwari, Raghavendra Prasad; Pattanaik, Jitendra Kumar; Kumar, Pankaj; Thomas, Harel; Singh, Ningthoujam Premjit; Singh, Nongmaithem AmardasGeochemical study in the siliciclastic sediments of a basin provides an understanding of palaeoclimate, provenance and subsequently, it can be used to reconstruct the palaeo-tectonics and evolution of the basin. Sedimentation in the Gondwana basins, worldwide, generally provides a record of climatic fluctuations and evidences of the Permo-Triassic mass extinction. In spite of its global importance, our knowledge about the nature of sedimentation, basin development and conceptual regional tectonic model in the Satpura Basin, one of the Gondwana basins of India is limited. Major and trace element concentrations of the mudstones from the Denwa Formation along with the existing geochemical data of other formations are studied here for establishing a comprehensive idea about the palaeoclimate, tectonic settings, provenance and basin evolution. The composition of the sediments in the lowermost Talchir Formation revealed cold and dry climatic conditions at the sources, whereas the sources of the sediments for the overlying formations have experienced warm, humid and semiarid climates. The contributions of the mafic rock-derived sediments are relatively higher in the Talchir, Barakar and Motur formations compared to the overlying formations. Approximately 60% of the sediments in the overlying Bijori, Pachmarhi and Denwa formations were derived from the felsic volcanic rocks and granites of the Sausar Mobile Belt and Betul-Chindwara Mobile Belt (BCMB) with minor inputs from mafic volcanic rocks of the BCMB. Furthermore, the sediments of the Talchir Formation were derived from the BCMB when they became tectonically active, whereas the sediments in the younger formations have been derived from a passive tectonic setting. � 2022 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.Item Collective Affirmation in Action: Understanding the Success of Lockdown in India During the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic(Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, 2022-08-29T00:00:00) Tiwari, Gyanesh Kumar; Kashyap, Anil Kumar; Rai, Pramod Kumar; Tiwari, Raghavendra Prasad; Pandey, RuchiBackground: This study explores the role of collective affirmation in attracting mass cooperation to motivate people to observe preventive measures during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Using a qualitative research design, a heterogeneous sample (n=32) comprising postgraduate (n=10) and doctorates (n=22) was chosen and the data were collected through semi-structured interviews. The interview contents were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed via the thematic analysis method. Results: Five themes were generated in this study: perceived psychological distress, pandemic as a serious challenge to the national interest and human existence, the Janata curfew as a positive faith of the government in the abilities of Indians, lockdown as a strong faith of the government in the unshakable support of the Indians and strong affinity and pride of the Indians in their cultural heritage. The novelty, suddenness, and incurability of COVID-19 caused a set of perceived psychological distress and danger to individual and collective life. The Janata (public) curfew was perceived as a curfew of the people, by the people, and for the people. The lockdown denoted a strong faith of the Indian government in the positive virtues of the Indian people and vice versa. The mass support and adherence to the suggested preventive government measures were facilitated by collective affirmation of the well-known positive Indian cultural values (e.g. humanism, interdependence, collective pride, compassion, universal brotherhood, and so on) to the world. Conclusion: Collective affirmation inherent in the Indian cultural values catalyzed mass behavior change in the form of adherence to the essential restrictions and recommendations. Collective affirmation may have occurred because of the perceived faith of the government in the virtues of the Indians and their perceived administrative capability of the government. A culture-specific collective affirmation seems to emerge which initiated mass behavior changes leading to a successful lockdown. � 2022, Gonabad University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved.Item Chondrichthyan and osteichthyan fauna from the middle Miocene deposits of Palasava, Kutch, India: implication for paleoenvironment and paleobiogeography; [Faune de chondrichtyens et d�ost�ichtyens provenant des d�p�ts du Mioc�ne moyen de Palasava, Kutch, Inde: implication pour le pal�oenvironnement et la pal�obiog�ographie](Academie des sciences, 2022-12-13T00:00:00) Singh, Nongmaithem Amardas; Choudhary, Deepak; Singh, Y. Priyananda; Singh, Ningthoujam Premjit; Patnaik, Rajeev; Tiwari, R.P.; Sharma, K. MilankumarThe Neogene of Kutch, India is well known for its rich marine and terrestrial vertebrate assemblages. However, the data of piscean fauna from the middle Miocene of India is very scarce. We report here additional chondrichthyan and osteichthyan remains from the middle Miocene deposit of Chhasra Formation, Palasava site, Kutch, Gujarat, India. The elasmobranchs include Carcharhinus Blainville, 1816 (C. brevipinna (M�ller & Henle, 1839), C. falciformis (M�ller & Henle, 1839), C. cf. leucas, C. aff. perezi, Carcharhinus sp.), Negaprion Whitley, 1940 (Negaprion sp.), Aetobatus Blainville, 1816 (Aetobatus sp.), Myliobatis Cuvier, 1816 (Myliobatis sp.), Dasyatis Rafinesque, 1810 (D. probsti Cappetta, 1970, D. rugosa Probst, 1877), Himantura M�ller & Henle, 1837 (H. menoni Sahni & Mehrotra, 1981), Pastinachus R�ppell, 1829 (Pastinachus sp.), and Taeniurops Garman, 1913 (Taeniurops sp.). The teleosts of Palasava are represented by four families including Bagridae Bleeker, 1858, Channidae Fowler, 1934, Characidae Latreille, 1925 and Cyprinidae Cuvier, 1817. S�rensen-Dice coefficient data of Palasava elasmobranchs show a good similarity index with their counterparts in the Mediterranean Sea suggesting the existence of short-lived reopening of the marine pathway. However, a much higher faunal affinity with those of Eastern Pacific indicates a gradual shift in migration path through the Pacific Ocean to Indo-Pacific region after the permanent landbridge was formed. The vertebrate fauna from the Palasava suggests a coastal, marginal marine, near-shore littoral to neritic environment of deposition with the influence of freshwater riverine system. The integration of the floras and faunas from Palasava locality indicates the presence of warm, humid/ wet, tropical to sub-tropical environmental conditions during the middle Miocene. � 2022 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.