Gas hydrate saturation from NGHP 02 LWD data in the Mahanadi Basin

During the Indian National Gas Hydrate Program(NGHP)Expedition 02,Logging-while-drilling(LWD)logs were acquired at three sites(NGHP-02-11,NGHP-02-12,and NGHP-02-13)across the Mahanadi Basin in area A.We applied rock physics theory to available sonic velocity logs to know the distribution of gas hydrate at site NGHP-02-11 and NGHP-02-13.Rock physics modeling using sonic velocity at well location shows that gas hydrate is distributed mainly within the depth intervals of 150-265 m and 100 -215 mbsf at site NGHP-02-11 and NGHP-02-13,respectively,with an average saturation of about 4%of the pore space and the maximum concentration of about 40%of the pore space at 250 m depth at site NGHP-02-11,and at site NGHP-02-13 an average saturation of about 2%of the pore space and the maximum concentration of about 20%of the pore space at 246 m depth,as gas hydrate is distributed mainly within 100-246 mbsf at this site.Saturation of gas hydrate estimated from the electrical resistivity method using density derived porosity and electrical resistivity logs from Archie's empirical formula shows high saturation compared to that from the sonic log.However,estimates of hydrate saturation based on sonic P-wave velocity may differ significantly from that based on resistivity,because gas and hydrate have higher resistivity than conductive pore fluid and sonic P-wave velocity shows strong effect on gas hydrate as a small amount of gas reduces the velocity significantly while increasing velocity due to the presence of hydrate.At site NGHP-02-11,gas hydrate saturation is in the range of 15%e30%,in two zones between 150-180 and 245-265 mbsf.Site NGHP-02-012 shows a gas hydrate saturation of 20%e30%in the zone between 100 and 207 mbsf.Site NGHP-02-13 shows a gas hydrate saturation up to 30%in the zone between 215 and 246 mbsf.Combined observations from rock physics modeling and Archie’s approximation show the gas hydrate concentrations are relatively low(<4%of the pore space)at the sites of the Mahanadi Basin in the turbidite channel system.

3D and 2D topographic correction to estimated geothermal gradient from the base of gas hydrate stability zone in the Andaman Forearc Basin

Methane gas hydrate related bottom-simulating reflectors(BSRs)are imaged based on the in-line and cross-line multi-channel seismic(MCS)data from the Andaman Forearc Basin.The depth of the BSR depends on pressure and temperature and pore water salinity.With these assumptions,the BSR depth can be used to estimate the geothermal gradient(GTG)based on the availability of in-situ temperature measurements.This calculation is done assuming a 1D conductive model based on available in-situ temperature measurement at site NGHP-01-17 in the study area.However,in the presence of seafloor topography,the conductive temperature field in the subsurface is affected by lateral refraction of heat,which focuses heat in topographic lows and away from topographic highs.The 1D estimate of GTG in the Andaman Forearc Basin has been validated by drilling results from the NGHP-01 expedition.2D analytic modeling to estimate the effects of topography is performed earlier along selected seismic profiles in the study area.The study extended to estimate the effect of topography in 3D using a numerical model.The corrected GTG data allow us to determine GTG values free of topographic effect.The difference between the estimated GTG and values corrected for the 3D topographic effect varies up to~5℃/km.These conclude that the topographic correction is relatively small compared to other uncertainties in the 1D model and that apparent GTG determined with the 1D model captures the major features,although the correction is needed prior to interpreting subtle features of the derived GTG maps.

Tree species diversity and stand structure along major community types in lowland primary and secondary moist deciduous forests in Tripura,Northeast India

Tree species diversity and population structure at different community types were described and analyzed for primary and secondary lowland moist deciduous forests in Tripura. Overall 10,957 individual trees belonging to 46 family, 103 genera and 144 species were counted at ≥30 cm DBH （diameter at breast height） using 28 permanent belt transects with a size of 1 ha （10 m × 1000 m）. Four different tree communities were identified. The primary forests was dominated by Shorea robusta （mean density 464.77 trees.ha^-1, 105 species） and Schima wallichii （336.25 trees.ha^-1, 82 species）, while the secondary forests was dominated by Tectona grandis （333.88 trees.ha^-1, 105 species） and Hevea brasiliensis （299.67 trees.ha^-1, 82 species）. Overall mean basal area in this study was 18.01m2.ha^-1; the maximum value was recorded in primary Shorea forest （26.21 m2.ha^-1）. Mean density and diversity indices were differed significantly within four different communities. No significant differences were observed in number of species, genera, family and tree basal cover area. Significant relationships were found between the species richness and different tree population groups across the communities. Results revealed that species diversity and density were increased in those forests due to past disturbances which resulted in slow accumu- lation of native oligarchic small tree species. Seventeen species were recorded with 〈2 individuals of which Saraca asoka （Roxb.） de Wilde and Entada phaseoloides （L.） Men＇. etc. extensively used in local ethnomedicinal formulations. The present S. robusta Gaertn dominated forest was recorded richer （105 species） than other reported studies. Moraceae was found more speciose family instead of Papilionaceae and Euphorbiaceae than other Indian moist deciduous forests. Seasonal phenological gap in such moist deciduous forests influenced the population of Trachypithecus pileatus and capped langur. The analysis of FIV suggested a slow trend of shifting the population of Lamiaceae group by Moraceae species in secondary T. grandis L. dominated community.

Rainforests north of the Tropic of Cancer: Physiognomy, floristics and diversity in ‘lowland rainforests’ of Meghalaya, India

The lowland rainforests of Meghalaya, India represent the westernmost limit of the rainforests north of the Tropic of Cancer. These forests, on the Shillong plateau, are akin to Whitmore's ‘tropical lowland evergreen rainforest' formation and exhibit striking similarities and conspicuous differences with the equatorial rainforests in Asia-Pacific as well as tropical seasonal rainforests in southwestern China near the Tropic of Cancer. We found these common attributes of the rainforests in Meghalaya: familial composition with predominance of Euphorbiaceae, Lauraceae, Meliaceae, Moraceae, Myrsiticaceae,Myrtaceae and Rubiaceae; deciduousness in evergreen physiognomy; dominance of mega-and mesophanerophytic life-forms; abundance of species with low frequency of occurrence(rare and aggregated species); low proportional abundance of the abundant species; and truncated lognormal abundance distribution. The levels of stand density and stand basal area were comparable with seasonal rainforests in southwestern China, but were lower than equatorial rainforests. Tropical Asian species predominated flora, commanding 95% of the abundance. The differences include overall low stature(height) of the forest, inconspicuous stratification in canopy, fewer species and individuals of liana, thicker understory,higher proportion of rare species, absence of locally endemic species and relatively greater dominance of Fagaceae and Theaceae. The richness of species per hectare(S) was considerably lower at higher latitudes in Meghalaya than in equatorial rainforests, but was comparable with seasonal rainforests. Shannon's diversity index(H’=4.40 nats for ≥10 cm gbh and 4.25 nats for ≥30 cm gbh) was lower on higher latitudes in Meghalaya in comparison to species-rich equatorial rainforests, but it was the highest among all lowland rainforests near the Tropic of Cancer.

Patterns of species dominance, diversity and dispersion in ‘Khasi hill sal' forest ecosystem in northeast India

Background： The ＇Khasi hill sal＇ forest ecosystem in Meghalaya, India represents the easternmost limit of sal distribution. We tested if tree diversity and compositional heterogeneity of this ecosystem was higher than other sal-dominated forests due to moister environment. Methods： Vegetation was sampled in 11 transects of 10 m width and up to 500 m length covering 5.2 ha area. All stems ≥10 cm girth at breast height were enumerated. Results： We found a pattern of mixed dominance of Shored robusta （sal） and Schima wollichii and co-dominance of Pinus kesiyo and Careya arborea. The Shannon＇s diversity index （H＇） was 3.395 nats. This value is remarkably high and competitive to that of moist sal forests of eastern Himalayan foothills and sal-dominated forests of Tripura. A high value of H＇ was manifested by： a） high species richness （S = 123）, b） good equitability （70.6%）, c） ＇fair＇ resource apportionment, and d） abundance of rare species （84% species with less than one per cent of total individuals, 67% species with two or less individuals ha-1 and 59% species with one or less individuals ha-1）. The compositional heterogeneity was ＇fair＇ （Whittaker＇sβw = 3.15）. The presence of Fagaceae with six species commanding 4.3% of importance value （IVl） and of a pine （P. kesiya） in sal forest was remarkable. As many as 58 species showed ＇low density （〈 10 individuals ha-1）, uniform dispersion＇, five species achieved ＇higher density （〉 10 individuals ha-l）, uniform dispersion＇ and six of the top 10 species were ＇clumped＇. The forest showed an exponential demographic curve illustrating ＇good＇ regeneration of an expanding community. Vertical stratification was simple with a poor canopy and fair subcanopy, which together with low basal area （15.65 m2 . ha-1 for individuals ≥ 10 cm gbh） indicated logging of mature sal trees in the past. Conclusions： The ＇Khasi hill sal＇ forest ecosystem is richer in alpha and beta diversity than most sal-dominated forests, but past logging has reduced basal area. Selective removal of small timber and firewood, slash-and-burn agriculture and recurrent burning of forest floor are the principal anthropogenic factors controlling forest structure and regeneration of species.

Phytosociology of stratification in a lowland tropical rainforest occurring north of the Tropic of Cancer in Meghalaya, India

Stratification in lowland rainforests of Meghalaya,India,which represent the westernmost limit of the rainforests north of the Tropic of Cancer,was studied in horizontal and vertical planes to elucidate the patterns in stacking of species diversity and community attributes,and to draw comparisons with rainforests of‘Indo-Malaya’ecozone(biogeographical realm).All individuals≥10 cm GBH(girth at breast height)were enumerated in six transects of 10 m width and up to 500 m length covering 2.45 ha area.The stratification of whole assemblage of species in vertical plane is referred to as‘storey structure’(=height class distribution),which explains structural complexity.In horizontal plane,it is typically referred to as‘stand structure’(=girth class distribution),which explains structural heterogeneity.The stratification of an individual species in vertical plane is referred to as‘loftiness’and in horizontal plane,it is frequently referred to as‘population structure’.The stand structure was characterized by a negative exponential relationship or a reverse J-shaped curve,which is typical of a well regenerating forest stand.The storey structure was characterized by the low stature of the rainforest(<30 m),subtle layering in the canopy with dearth of discrete multi-stories,narrower widths of the stories and a thick understory.The cluster analysis and‘candlestick charts’showed that the dominant species spatially segregated in canopy height to profile three strata,viz.,an understory of juveniles and shrubs below 5 m,a middle-storey of intermediate trees between 5 and 15 m,and an overstory of large trees between 15 and 25 m.Emergent trees of a few species may reach up to 30 m.The individuals tended to scatter in increasingly wider range of height classes from a lower to the next higher girth class,creating a‘torchlight scatter’pattern,with a tendency to concentrate towards smaller height classes due to stochastic factors,which potentially influence vertical growth proportionate to diametric growth.In comparison to equatorial rainforests of Malaysia and seasonal rainforests of southwestern China,the rainforests of Meghalaya are short-statured at the geographic extremity of the occurrence of rainforest biome in Asiae Pacific region,owing to floristic composition,site quality factors,excessively higher quantities of rainfall and high differential of precipitation and potential evapotranspiration.Despite limited diversity of megaphanerophytes,these rainforests deserve concerted conservation efforts as they stack high diversity of meso-,micro-and nano-phanerophytes.

Lithospheric Structure Model of Central Indian Ocean Basin Using Ocean Bottom Seismometer Data

The intense deformation zone in the central Indian Ocean, south of Indian continent is one of the most complex regions in terms of its structure and geodynamics. The deformation zone has been studied and debated in 1990s for its genesis. It was argued that deformation is mainly confined to sedimentary and oceanic crustal layers, while the large wave length geoidal anomalies, on which the deformation region lies, called for deeper sources. The inter connection between deeper and the shallower sources is found missing. The current study focuses on the complexities of this region by analyzing OBS （ocean bottom seismometer） data. The data acquired by five OBS systems along a 300 km long south-north profile in the CIOB （central Indian Ocean basin） have been modeled and the crustal and sub-crustal structure has been determined using 2-D tomographic inversion. Four subsurface layers are identified representing the sediment column, upper crustal layer, lower crustal layer and a sub-crustal layer （upper mantle layer）. A considerable variation in thickness as well as velocity at all interfaces from sedimentary column to upper mantle is observed which indicates that the tectonic forces have affected the entire crust and sub-crustal configuration. The sediments are characterized by higher velocities （2.1 kin/s） due to the increased confining pressure. Modeling results indicated that the velocity in upper crust is in the range of 5.7-6.2 km/s and the velocity of the lower crust varies from 7.0-7.6 km/s. The velocity of the sub-crustal layer is in the range of 7.8-8.4 km/s. This high-velocity layer is interpreted as magmatic under-plating with strong lateral variations. The base of the 7.0 km/s layer at 12-15 km depth is interpreted as the Moho.

应用电阻率和纵波速度估算印度Mahanadi盆地海洋沉积物天然气水合物饱和度

2006年，印度在国家天然气水合物计划（NGHP）第一航次钻探中于Mahanadi盆地东部大陆边缘发现了天然气水合物。对所获取的岩心进行红外成像分析证实了该区水合物主要以多层分散赋存。本文利用孔隙水化学分析、电阻率测井和声波速度测井来估算Mahanadi盆地三个站位（NGHP-01—08，NGHP-01—09和NGHP-01—19）的天然气水合物饱和度。利用孔隙水氯离子浓度异常估计位于天然气水合物稳定带底界（BGHSZ）之上海底200m以下的水合物饱和度最高为10％，利用电阻率测井和声波速度测井建模这两种方法估算的水合物饱和度值之间具有可比性，估算的值均在10％～15％之间变化。本文还对研究区的地震反射数据进行了分析，以识别天然气水合物存在的证据。该地区的BSR深度变化范围在海底以下200~300m之间，这取决于Mahanadi盆地的水深。基于区域地震资料发现天然气水合物存在与否与深水水道堤坝沉积复合体有关（尤其是在NGHP—01—19站位）。但是每个站位的取心或录井剖面都显示砂组分稀少，这就造成了水合物饱和度不会很高。从地震振幅时间切片来看，Mahanadi盆地所有钻孔均分布在河道体系陡坡地段中，而砂体绕过该地段沉积，所以推断重要的砂体沉积很可能出现在滑坡较远的地段，而从地震数据中可以推断出该较远地段沉积体系为典型的扇形沉积，因此可以预想在该较远地区可能存在更多的天然气水合物。

天然气水合物存在的流体特征——以印度西部大陆边缘为例

印度西部大陆边缘的多道地震反射资料揭示了流体排驱是否与天然气水合物相关。在地震剖面上没有典型的似海底反射存在，为了在确定天然气水合物的存在，我们在印度西部大陆边缘的一个小水道找到其它地震反射证据。我们研究了通过海底的排气通道、麻坑、海底滑坡以及反映流体运移通道的断层、清楚的含气沉积、弱振幅、底辟和泥火山等，地震剖面上所有这些流体逸散特征预示着在天然气水合物稳定域内天然气水合物的可能存在。

Finite-size-effect on a very large length scale in NBT-based lead-free piezoelectrics

Na_(0.5)Bi_(0.5)TiO_(3)-based lead-free piezoelectrics are considered for potential replacement of the lead-based commercial piezoceramics in high-power transducer applications.We have examined the role of grain size in influencing the structural-polar inhomogeneity of stoichiometric and off-stoichiometric Na_(0.5)Bi_(0.5)TiO_(3)(NBT),and its morphotropic-phase-boundary(MPB)derivative 0.94Na_(0.5)Bi_(0.5)TiO_(3)-0.06BaTiO_(3)(NBT-6BT).Our study reveals that size effect comes into play in these systems on a very large length scale(on the scale of microns)considerably affecting its global structure and properties.