Spectral and statistical characteristics of shoaling waves of Alleppey West coast of India

Some investigations on the spectral and statistical characteristics of deep water waves are available for Indian waters. But practically no systematic investigation on the shallow water wave spectral and probabilistic characteristics is made for any part of the Indian coast except for a few restricted studies. Hence a comprehensive study of the shallow water wave climate and their spectral and statistical characteristics for a location (Alleppey) along the southwest coast of India is undertaken based on recorded data. The results of the investigation are presented in this thesis.The thesis comprises of seven chapters

Texture, composition and provinance of innershelf sediments between Narakkal and Purakkad, Kerala with special reference to the formation of Mud Banks

The continental shelf of southwest coast of India (Kerala) is broader and . flatter compared to that of the east coast. The unique characteristic feature of the study area (innershelf between Narakkal and Purakkad) is the intermittent appearance of 'mud banks' at certain locations during southwest monsoon. The strong seasonality manifests significant changes in the wind, waves, currents, rainfall, drainage etc., along this area. Peculiar geomorphological variation with high, mid and lowlands in the narrow strip of the hinterland, the geological formations mainly consisting of rocks of metamorphic origin and the humid tropical weathering conditions play significant role in regulating the shelf sedimentation. A complementary pattern of distri bution is observed for clay that shows an abundance in the nearshore. Silt, to a major extent, depicts semblance with clay distribution . Summation of the total asymmetry of grain size distribution are inferred from the variation of skewness and kurtosis.Factor I implies a low energy regime where the transportation and deposition phases are controlled mostly by pelagic suspension process as the factor loadings are dominant on finer phi sizes. The second Factor is inferred to be the result of a high energy regime which gives higher loadings on coarser size fractions. The third Factor which might be a transition phase (medium energy regime) representing the resultant flux of coastal circulation of the re-suspension/deposition and an onshoreoffshore advection by reworking and co-deposition of relict and modern sediments. The spatial variations of the energy regime based on the three end-member factor model exhibits high energy zone in the seaward portion transcending to a low energy one towards the coast.From the combined analysis of granulometry and SEM studies, it is concluded that the sandy patches beyond 20 m depth are of relict nature. They are the resultant responses of beach activity during the lower stand of sea level in the Holocene. Re-crystallisation features on the quartz grains indicate that they were exposed to subaerial weathering process subsequent to thei r deposition

Studies on Thermal structure in the seas around in India

The thesis entitled Studies on Thermal Structure in the Seas Around India. An attempt is made in this study to document the observed variability of thermal structure, both on seasonal and short-term scales, in the eastern Arabian Sea and southwestern Bay of Bengal, from the spatial and time series data sets from a reasonably strong data base. The present study has certain limitations. The mean temperatures are based on an uneven distribution of data in space and time. Some of the areas, although having a ‘full annual coverage, do not have adequate data for some months. Some portions in the area under study are having data gaps. The consistency and the coherence in the internal wave characteristics could not be examined due to non-availability of adequate data sets. The influence of generating mechanisms; other than winds and tides on the observed internal wave fields could not be ascertained due to lack of data. However, a comprehensive and intensive data collection can overcome these limitations. The deployment of moored buoys with arrays of sensors at different depths at some important locations for about 5 to 10 years can provide intensive and extensive data sets. This strong data base can afford to address the short-term and seasonal variability of thermal field and understand in detail the individual and collective influences of various physical and dynamical mechanisms responsible for such variability.

STUDIES ON THE CHARACTERISTICS OF TROPOSPHERE AND LOWER STRATOSPHERE ASSOCIATED WITH THE PASSAGE OF TROPICAL CYCLONES

In the present thesis, an attempt has been made to study the characteristics of troposphere and lower stratosphere during the passage of tropical cyclones from a tropical station in India using MST radar. MST radar is an excellent tool for studying various features of the atmosphere from ground to mesospheric heights, as it can be operated continuously with good time and altitude resolution. The major objectives are to identify the multiple layers of reflectivity observed in the atmosphere during cyclones, to study the troposphere characteristics during these cyclones and its dependence on cyclone position and intensity, to detect the waves present in the atmosphere, to study the transport of momentum fluxes and to understand stratosphere. The winds in the troposphere and lower stratosphere are greatly affected by the passage of cyclones; the presence of high reflectivity layers below the tropopause suggests the passage of severe weather systems etc. are some of the major findings of the study. The study can be extended further to understand the circulation and dynamics of the atmosphere associated with the passage of tropical cyclones. The gravity wave generation and its characteristics during the passage of storms is another important aspect to be studied in detail.

A fibre optic evanescent wave sensor for monitoring the rate of pulsed laser deposition of metal thin films

A novel sensing technique for the in situ monitoring of the rate of pulsed laser deposition (PLD) of metal thin films has been developed. This optical fibre based sensor works on the principle of the evanescent wave penetration of waveguide modes into the uncladded portion of a multimode fibre. The utility of this optical fibre sensor is demonstrated in the case of PLD of silver thin films obtained by a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser which is used to irradiate a silver target at the required conditions for the preparation of thin films. This paper describes the performance and characteristics of the sensor and shows how the device can be used as an effective tool for the monitoring of the deposition rate of silver thin films. The fibre optic sensor is very simple, inexpensive and highly sensitive compared with existing techniques for thin film deposition rate measurements

A fibre optic evanescent wave sensor for monitoring the rate of pulsed laser deposition of metal thin films

A novel sensing technique for the in situ monitoring of the rate of pulsed laser deposition (PLD) of metal thin films has been developed. This optical fibre based sensor works on the principle of the evanescent wave penetration of waveguide modes into the uncladded portion of a multimode fibre. The utility of this optical fibre sensor is demonstrated in the case of PLD of silver thin films obtained by a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser which is used to irradiate a silver target at the required conditions for the preparation of thin films. This paper describes the performance and characteristics of the sensor and shows how the device can be used as an effective tool for the monitoring of the deposition rate of silver thin films. The fibre optic sensor is very simple, inexpensive and highly sensitive compared with existing techniques for thin film deposition rate measurements.

Studies on the Characteristics of Vertical Circulation and Equatorial Waves using Indian MST Radar

The aim of the present study is to understand the characteristics and properties of different wave modes and the vertical circulation pattern in the troposphere and lower stratosphere over Indian region using data obtained from the Indian Mesosphere-Stratosphere Troposphere (MST) radar, National Center for Environmental Prediction/National Centres of Atmospheric Research (NCEP/NCAR) reanalysed data and radiosonde observations.Studies on the vertical motion in monsoon Hadley circulation are carried out and the results are discussed . From the analysis of MST radar data, an overall picture of vertical motion of air over Indian region is explained and noted that there exists sinking motion both during winter and summer. Besides, the study shows that there is an anomalous northerly wind in the troposphere over the southern peninsular region during southwest monsoon season.The outcome of the study on intrusion of mid-latitude upper tropospheric trough and associated synoptic-scale vertical velocity over the tropical Indian latitudes are reported and discussed . It shows that there is interaction between north Indian latitudes and tropical easterly region, when there is an eastward movement of Western Disturbance across the country. It explains the strengthening of westerlies and a change of winter westerlies into easterlies in the tropical troposphere and lower stratosphere. The divergence field computed over the MST radar station shows intensification in the downward motion in association with the synoptic systems of the northwest Indian region.

Design and development of an LED based fiber optic evanescent wave sensor for simultaneous detection of chromium and nitrite traces in water

The design and development of a cost-effective, simple, sensitive and portable LED based fiber optic evanescent wave sensor for simultaneously detecting trace amounts of chromium and nitrite in water are presented. In order to obtain the desired performance, the middle portions of two multimode plastic clad silica fibers are unclad and are used as the sensing elements in the two arms of the sensor. Each of the sensor arms is sourced by separate super bright green LEDs, which are modulated in a time-sharing manner and a single photo detector is employed for detecting these light signals. The performance and characteristics of this system clearly establish the usefulness of the technique for detecting very low concentrations of the dissolved contaminants.

Investigations on the radiation characteristics of flanged sectoral horn antennas and corner reflector systems

Antennas play an important role in determining the characteristics of any electronic system which depends on free space as the propagation medium. Basically, an antenna can be considered as the connecting link between free space and the transmitter or receiver. For radar and navigational purposes the directional properties of an antenna is its most basic requirement as it determines the distribution of radiated energy. Hence the study of directional properties of antennas has got special significance and several useful applications.

Characteristics of Arabian Sea mini warm pool and Indian summer monsoon

Arabian Sea Mini Warm Pool (ASMWP) is a part of the Indian Ocean Warm Pool and formed in the eastern Arabian Sea prior to the onset of the summer monsoon season. This warm pool attained its maximum intensity during the pre-monsoon season and dissipated with the commencement of summer monsoon. The main focus of the present work was on the triggering of the dissipation of this warm pool and its relation to the onset of summer monsoon over Kerala. This phenomenon was studied utilizing NCEP/NCAR (National Center for Environmental Prediction/National Center for Atmospheric and Research) re-analysis data, TRMM Micro wave Imager (TMI) and observational data. To define the ASMWP, sea surface temperature exceeding 30.25 C was taken as the criteria. The warm pool attained its maximum dimension and intensity nearly 2 weeks prior to the onset of summer monsoon over Kerala. Interestingly, the warm pool started its dissipation immediately after attaining its maximum core temperature. This information can be included in the present numerical models to enhance the prediction capability. It was also found that the extent and intensity of the ASMWP varied depending on the type of monsoon i.e., excess, normal, and deficient monsoon. Maximum core temperature and wide coverage of the warm pool observed during the excess monsoon years compared to normal and deficient monsoon years. The study also revealed a strong relationship between the salinity in the eastern Arabian Sea and the nature of the monsoon