ANNUAL REPORT 2009-10 Centre for Earth Science Studies Akkulam, Thiruvananthapuram - 695 031, India Editorial Board Dr. N. P. Kurian (Director) Dr. N. Subhash (Chairman) Dr. G. R Ravindrakumar (Member) Ms. Sheela Nair (Member) Sri. S.Sidharthan (Convener) Secretarial Assistance Ms.Sindhu Kumari M I Mr.Sreekanth Pai D Contents Preface…………………………………………………………………………….............................................................. v-vi 1. Earth System Dynamics 1.1. Crustal Evolution and Geodynamics 1.1.1. Metasedimentary rocks of the Kerala Khondalite Belt: Petrology and geodynamics of their formation................. 1 1.1.2. Geochemical and palaeomagnetic studies of mafic dykes...................................................................................... 1 1.1.3. Cretaceous dykes and related magmatism............................................................................................................ 3 1.1.4. Quaternary geology and geomorphic evolution of the coastal lands of Kollam district, SW India........................ 4 1.1.5 Quaternary evolution of the Coastal Plains of Central Kerala.......................................................................... 4 1.2. Atmospheric Processes 1.2.1. Rainfall Validation & Characterization and Cloud Physics Studies using Megha –Tropiques Data................... 5 1.2.2. Continuous measurement of ambient carbon monoxide in a tropical coastal station............................................. 5 1.2.3. Measurement of Cloud Parameters and Cloud Modelling................................................................................... 7 1.2.4 Solar UV-B radiation and atmosperhic trace constituents in relation to climate change........................................ 9 1.3. Coastal Processes 1.3.1. Shoreline management plan for Kerala coast...................................................................................................... 10 1.3.2. Nitrous oxide and methane in coastal ocean and estuaries................................................................................... 12 1.3.3. Coastal Ocean Monitoring and Prediction System (COMAPS)........................................................................ 13 1.3.4. Laser induced Fluorescence. studies of Corals..................................................................................................... 16 1.3.5 Spatio-temporal shore chnages duirng Holocene and tracing the evolutionary history of the Ashtamudi estuary, Southern Kerala.............................................................................................................................................. 17 1.3.6 Conservation and nourishment of selected beach tourism locations for Kerala...................................................... 18 2. Natural Hazards 2.1. Landslides 2.1.1. Field investigations of land disturbances in various parts of Kerala..................................................................... 20 2.1.2. Human-induced land modifications and its impacts: A study in Thodupuzha Taluk, Idukki district, Kerala........ 21 2.2. Earthquakes 2.2.1. Seismic monitoring in Kerala State and the broadband station at Peechi.............................................................. 22 2.3. Oil Spill Modelling 2.3.1. Oil Spill Modelling for selected locations along the Kerala coast.......................................................................... 23 2.4. Tsunami 2.4.1. Tsunami and Storm Surge Inundation Modelling and Mapping for the Coasts of Kerala, Karnataka and Lakshadweep ............................................................................................................................................................... 23 3. Natural Resources and Management 3.1. Water Resources 3.1.1. Rainwater Harvesting and Groundwater Recharge in Chadayamangalam Block................................................. 25 3.1.2. Hydro-chemical characterization and drinking water potential of coastal springs of Southern Kerala................. 25 3.1.3. Impacts of urbanization on soil and water resources of some selected cities of Kerala........................................ 26 3.1.4. Interstitial water chemistry of Aquatic Environments and its significance in nutrient Dynamics: A case study.. 28 3.2. Terrain Analysis and Landuse Studies 3.2.1. Landscape evaluation in relation to fluvio-estuarine and denudational systems: A case study of Periyar basin, Kerala........................................................................................................................................................... 29 3.2.2. Geomorphic setting, landscape alteration and fluvial regime change in the Western Ghats provenance of southern Sahyadri .................................................................................................................................................. 29 3.2.3. Study of landuse / landcover change linked to climate change in Kerala........................................................... 30 3.2.4. Landuse/landcover change and its impact on bio-physical system.................................................................... 30 CESS Annual Report 2009-2010 i Contents 3.2.5. Rejuvenating lateritic areas of Neyyar of Western Ghat region in Thiruvananthapuram using natural rock powder as geonutrient for sustainable agriculture- a technological intervention.................................................30 3.2.5.1 Characterisation of laterites of Kerala and Preparation of laterite distribution map...................................... 31 3.2.6 Assessment and monitoring of land quality for sustainable agriculture in Kannur District: A GIS based approach coupled with technology implementation.......................................................................................... 31 3.3. Environmental Assessment 3.3.1. Environmental management plan for Alappuzha-Sherthalai canala and Kanjikuzhy grama panchayat........... 31 3.3.2. EIA for the desiltation of Malampuzha Reservoir....................................................................................... 32 3.3.3. EIA of major settlement distribution patterns and the infrastructural development with an emphasis on drinking water infrastructure facilities in Thiruvananthapuram .................................................................... 33 3.3.4. State of the environment and action plan for Kochi urban area...................................................................... 33 3.3.5. Tropical freshwater myristica swamps of Kerala and its ecological and evolutionary significance....................... 35 3.3.6. Enviornmental degradationof Muvattupuzha river basin causes consequences and strategies of river restoration 35 3.3.7. Strategies for sand mining from Periyar river in Ernakulam district............................................................... 36 3.3.8. Exploring the interrelationship between incidence of poverty and environmental degradation- A micro-level case study of Wayanad district of Kerala..................................................................................................... 37 3.3.9. Developing an integrated framework for science policy integration towards enhanced management of coastal systems in south Asia- a case study on Vembanad estuary............................................................................. 37 3.3.10. Urbanisation between Kochi and Thrissur..................................................................................................... 37 3.3.11. Mapping of coastal cliffs and their vulnerability between Kanayakumari and Mangalore, South West coast of India.......................................................................................................................................................... 37 3.4. Coastal Zone Management 3.4.1. Studies on Shore Protection Measures for Lakshadweep Islands....................................................................38 3.4.2. Coastal Zone Studies- Kerala and Lakshadweep Islands................................................................................ 39 3.5. Remote Sensing of Environment 3.5.1. Laser-induced fluorescence studies of plants.................................................................................................. 40 3.5.2. Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (PDT)................................................................................................. 41 3.6. GIS and Remote Sensing Applications in Natural Resources Management 3.6.1. Geo-spatial survey and assessment of Munnar and adjoining panchayats........................................................ 42 3.6.2. Cadastral Level Decision Support System for Management of Natural Resource in Thiruvananthapuram District..................................................................................................................................................... 43 3.6.3. NREDB data updation and utilization for local level planning in Kerala – database Infrastructure Support... 43 3.6.4. Kerala State Spatial Data Infrasturctur (KSDI)........................................................................................ 43 3.6.5. Kerala Resources Information System & Services (KRISS)..........................................................................45 3.6.6. Digital Resource Atlas of Kerala................................................................................................................ 45 3.6.7. Application of Artificial Neural Network in Pattern Classification of Remotely