Publications
Spatiotemporal analysis of the effects of forest covers on stream water quality in Western Ghats of peninsular India
Research Paper
| January 11, 2018
The hydrological research has largely concentrated on two extremes – undisturbed forest cover versus cleared forest land, whereas most tropical forest areas are now a mix of secondary vegetation, and old forest interspersed with patches cleared for agriculture or other non-forest use (Bruijnzeel, 2004; Giambelluca, 2002). For this reason, research on spatiotemporal variations in the effects of a mix of primary forest, mature secondary forests and disturbed forests on stream water quality was conducted in four watersheds in the Western Ghats of peninsular India.
Sphere of influence of indole acetic acid and nitric oxide in bacteria
Research Paper
| January 11, 2018
Bacterial biosynthesis of the phytohormone, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) is well established and along with the diffusible gaseous molecule, nitric oxide (NO) is known to positively regulate the developmental processes of plant roots. IAA and NO act as signaling molecules in plant?microbe interactions as they modulate the gene expression in both, plants and microorganisms. Although IAA and NO may not be required for essential bacterial physiological processes, numerous studies point towards a crosstalk between IAA and NO in the rhizosphere.
Study on heavy metal contamination of agricultural soils and vegetables grown in the Delhi segment of Yamuna river basin, Global Health Perspectives
Research Paper
| January 11, 2018
The treated or untreated industrial wastewaters from different sources are discharged into Yamuna river. The river water, when used for irrigation or during flood, introduces these contaminants including heavy metals to the agricultural soils of the cultivated area in flood plain of Yamuna. Subsequently, these metals are transported from soils to the edible parts of grown crop resulting into accumulation in local communities.
Sustainability Science for Social, Economic and Environmental Development
Research Paper
| January 11, 2018
Sustainability Science for Social, Economic, and Environmental Development investigates the role of sustainability in the everyday lives of ordinary citizens, including issues of economy, social interaction, exploitation of natural resources, and sources of renewable energy. In this book, researchers, policy makers, economists, scientists, and general readers will all find crucial insight into the parallels between theory and practice in sustainable development.
The Changing Urban Landscape and Its Impact on Local Environment in an Indian Megacity: The Case of Delhi
Research Paper
| January 11, 2018
This chapter presents urbanizing scenario of the megacity, Delhi. The changing land use land cover (LULC) and various environmental variables are discussed using the conjugation of space remote sensing inputs, geospatial analysis and statistical analysis. The two vital components of LULC viz., urban land use and fraction of green cover are important to demonstrate changing urban landscape and its impact on environmental quality.
The effect of boundary layer dynamics on aerosol properties at the Indo-Gangetic plains and at the foothills of the Himalayas
Research Paper
| January 11, 2018
Previous studies have noted that aerosols originating from the polluted Indo-Gangetic plains can reach high altitudes at the Indian Himalayas and thereby have an effect on the south Asian monsoon. Here we examine the transport of pollutions by comparing aerosol properties from a Himalayan foothill measurement site and a site at the Indo-Gangetic plains.
The legal framework to manage chemical pollution in India and the lesson from the Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)
Research Paper
| January 11, 2018
Indias rapid agro-economic growth has resulted into many environmental issues, especially related to chemical pollution. Environmental management and control of toxic chemicals have gained significant attention from policy makers, researchers, and enterprises in India. The present study reviews the policy and legal and nonregulatory schemes set in place in this country during the last decades to manage chemical risk and compares themwith those in developed nations.
Thermal performance prediction and energy conservation potential of earth air tunnel heat exchanger for thermal comfort in building
Research Paper
| January 11, 2018
In this communication, thermal performance of building integrated "Earth Air Tunnel Heat Exchanger" (EATHE) has been studied for a composite climate of Delhi. Mathematical model and building thermal simulation software (Energy Plus) are used for prediction of indoor air temperatures. The predicted results are validated through experimental results. Energy conservation potential both for heating and cooling of EATHE has been evaluated for winter and summer months in a specific year. Quantitative assessment of CO2 mitigation has also been computed.
Thermogravimetric analysis and kinetic modelling studies of selected agro-residues and biodiesel industry wastes for pyrolytic conversion to bio-oil
Research Paper
| January 11, 2018
IEA's recognition of international trading prospect of pyrolysis oil as a biomass intermediate to bridge the demand and supply gap of biomass resources across the globe is likely to accelerate large-scale development of pyrolysis technology in coming years. The complex nature of pyrolysis reactions however have led to the development of numerous kinetic models which show a wide variation in activation energy and other kinetic parameters for the same biomass feedstock. This also leads to complexity in reactor designing and process upscaling.
Topographic controls on spatio-temporal snow cover distribution in Northwest Himalaya
Research Paper
| January 11, 2018
The present study deals with spatio-temporal snow cover distribution in Northwest Himalaya (NWH) in a discourse on regional topography and prevalent climatology. Snow cover variation during 2001-2012 in NWH and eight major river basins was examined using MODIS data on board the Terra satellite. Slope match topographic correction was applied to eliminate the differential illumination effect on satellite imagery. The impact of cloud cover was removed by generating a 10-day maximum snow cover product.