National Centre for Earth Science Studies

The CZM Laboratory caters to the requirements of studies on Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) and Coastal Zone Management (CZM). As per the requirements of the Ministry of Environment & Forests and Coastal Zone Management Authorities, CRZ maps, reports and CZM Plans are prepared for various requirements including for environmental clearance of projects. These are prepared based on information generated from field studies and satellite imageries. The laboratory has facilities such as DGPS/GPS, distometers, image processing and GIS software and workstations

The Modelling Laboratory is equipped with the state-of-the-art software and computers (4 workstations) for numerical modelling work. The numerical modelling team is proficient in modelling of ocean waves and currents, coastal circulation, shoreline changes, coastal flooding and tsunami. The group uses the latest modelling software like 3DD and MIKE21 modelling suite of programs, LITPAK and Tsunami to predict and simulate waves, currents and wind conditions. In addition to this other software like GIS, ERDAS, MATLAB, SURFER etc are also being used at various stages of the work for data processing, analysis, interpretation, preparation of input data, comparison of satellite imageries and data presentation.

Models are calibrated and validated with the field data collected by the technical team. The deepwater bathymetry data required for the modeling work are taken from the latest available National Hydrographic Charts. For the nearshore region the latest bathymetry data measured and compiled by the survey team of MSD are being used. Since the nearshore bathymetry data is vital for the study of the nearshore wave climate and coastal circulation processes special care is being taken to use good quality data. For this the numerical modeling team works in close conjunction with the field team so that the numerical models set up are able to replicate the field conditions. The field observations and environmental data collected by the field team which include wind, waves, tides, current, sedimentological characteristics, beach profiles, visual observations etc are being extensively used by the modelers for giving inputs for running the model as well as for model calibration and validation.

The group is strengthening its modelling capabilities in the fields of wave transformation, oil spill modelling, coastal management, shoreline change studies etc. The lab also provides guidance and facilities for research students for both Master’s and Ph.D Degree students for doing their dissertation work. The students are given ample opportunities to broaden their knowledge base by interacting with other researchers and actively participating in training programmes, scientific discussions and talks which also includes brain storming sessions on particular topics conducted by the division and also by other research organizations

This laboratory was established as a regional facility to cater to the mineral/material analytical needs of R&D institutions, academia and industrial units. The prime objective is to maintain it as a facility for testing unconsolidated minerals particularly placer minerals. The Laboratory has different equipments for physical characterization of mineral sands and also facility to make solutions for chemical analyses.

Some of the facilities available in the laboratory are:

• Mineral/Rock Pulveriser
• Vibratory Sieve Shaker
• Stereoscopic zoom microscope
• Sartorius Density Determination kit
• Electronic Balance
• Frantz Isodynamic Separator
• Cross Belt Magnetic Separator
• Wet Table Separator

Laser Diffraction Particle Size Analyzer facility (CILAS-1180) has been installed in the division during 2006 to analyse the sediment samples for particle size distribution. Particle Size Analyzer is widely used method to characterize the sediment particles based on diffraction of a laser light source by the samples under analysis. The analyzer is used to determine the size distribution of a powder, a suspension or an emulsion, based on light diffraction. When a particle is lightened by a monochromatic source (laser source) a diffraction pattern, called Airy’s pattern, is obtained at the infinity. This diffraction pattern gives the light scattering intensity I, in function of the diffraction angle ?. It is composed of concentric rings. The distance between the different rings depends on the particle size. The analyzer can also be used to visualize the shape of the particle which is under suspension.

The instrument is capable of measuring dry and wet samples of particle size ranging from 0.04 ?m to 2500 µm. The facility is gaining importance from the conventional analysis of sieving and pippeting due to the cover of a wide range of grain sizes, small amount of samples, short time for analysis (5-10min. per sample), high repeatability and can analyze the non-dispersed samples. The facility has been opened to the public/academic institution on payment basis.

The preparation of the sample is the most important step when making a measurement. The accuracy for the measurement depends on sample preparation and extraction. One has to carefully define a method for extraction and sample preparation in order to obtain precise and reproducible results. For a measurement in dry mode, the sample should be first treated and then cone and quartered to represent an amount between 1 mg and 100 mg. In liquid mode representative of the powdered or liquid sample should be poured into the tanker.

Contact:

Group Head, MGG

Scientist-In-Charge

T: 0471-2511660

E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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