Prafull Singh

Morphometric analysis of Morar River Basin, Madhya Pradesh, India, using remote sensing and GIS techniques

Hydrogeological mapping and drainage analysis can form an important tool for groundwater development. Assessment of drainage and their relative parameters have been quantitatively carried out for the Morar River Basin, which has made positive scientific contribution for the local people of area for the sustainable water resource development and management. Geographical Information System has been used for the calculation and delineation of the morphometric characteristics of the basin. The dendritic type drainage network of the basin exhibits the homogeneity in texture and lack of structural control. The stream order ranges from first to sixth order. The drainage density in the area has been found to be low which indicates that the area possesses highly permeable soils and low relief. The bifurcation ratio varies from 2.00 to 5.50 and the elongation ratio (0.327) reveals that the basin belongs to the elongated shaped basin category. The results of this analysis would be useful in determining the effect of catchment characteristics such as size, shape, slope of the catchment and distribution of stream net work within the catchment.

Assessment of Land Use/Land Cover Using Geospatial Techniques in a Semi-arid Region of Madhya Pradesh, India

The Earths land cover characteristics and its use are key variables in global change. The society today is already in the mainstream of another revolution - the information revolution. This brings enormous changes to life and living, providing new approaches: how to advance the frontiers of previous revolutions particularly those of earth resources mapping and monitoring. Over the last few decades, there has been a significant change on land use and land cover (LULC) across the globe due to the climatic changes and over demand of the growing inhabitants. Semi-arid regions are undergoing severe stresses due to the combined effects of growing population and climate change (Mukherjee et al., 2009). In the last three decades, the technologies and methods of remote sensing have progressed significantly. Now a days remote sensing data, along with increased resolution from satellite platforms, makes these technology appear poised to make better impact on land resource management initiatives involved in monitoring LULC mapping and change detection at varying spatial ranges (Singh et al., 2010; Thakur, 2010). Remote sensing technology offers collection and analysis of data from ground-based, space and Earth-orbiting platforms, with linkages to Global Positioning System (GPS) and geographic information system (GIS) data with promising modelling capabilities (Franklin, 2001; Thakur et al., 2010). This has made remote sensing valuable for land cover and land use information.

Delineating groundwater potential zones in a hard-rock terrain using geospatial tool

Abstract Geospatial techniques have become one of the leading tools in the field of natural sciences for assessment, monitoring and management of natural resources, particularly in groundwater research. The paper discusses the demarcation and assessment of groundwater potential zones using geospatial techniques in the Deccan Volcanic Province of Maharashtra, India, using multi-criteria analyses. The study incorporates integration of thematic information (geomorphology, lithology, drainage density, slope and lineaments) in a GIS environment in order to identify groundwater potential zones. The methodology adopted can be used as a rapid assessment tool in groundwater exploration and is helpful in predictive groundwater resource management. Multi-criteria evaluation techniques were used to integrate all the thematic layers. Individual themes and their corresponding categories were assigned a knowledge base ranking from 1 to 5, depending on their importance for groundwater potential. Using the Raster calculator tool in Arc GIS software, all thematic maps were integrated to produce a composite groundwater potential map of the study area. The identified groundwater potential zones were classified into four classes, from excellent to poor. The generated groundwater potential zones were validated with field checks and borewell/dugwell yield data, and showed consistency with the observations. Citation Singh, P., Thakur, J. K., and Kumar, S. (2013) Delineating groundwater potential zones in a hard-rock terrain using geospatial tools. Hydrological Sciences Journal, 58 (1), 1–11.

Geochemical Modelling of Fluoride Concentration in Hard Rock Terrain of Madhya Pradesh, India

: The aim of the present study is to locate and decipher the groundwater quality, types, and hydrogeochemical reactions, which are responsible for elevated concentration of fluoride in the Chhindwara district in Madhya Pradesh, India. Groundwater samples, quality data and other ancillary information were collected for 26 villages in the Chhindwara District, M.P. India during May 2006. The saturation index was computed for the selected samples in the region, which suggest that generally most of the minerals are saturated with respect to water. The concentration of fluoride in the region varies from 0.6 to 4.74 mg/l, which is much higher as per the national and international water quality standards. The study also reveals that the fluoride bearing rock formations are the main source of the higher concentration of fluoride in groundwater along with the conjuncture of land use change. Moreover, the area is a hard rock terrain and consists of fractured granites and amygdaloidal and highly jointed compact basalt acting as good aquifer, which is probably enriching the high content of fluoride in groundwater. High concentration of fluoride is found in deeper level of groundwater and it is possible due to rock-water interaction, which requires further detailed investigation. The highly alkaline conditions indicate fluorite dissolution, which works as a major process for higher concentration of fluoride in the study area. The results of this study will ultimately help in the identification of risk areas and taking measures to mitigate negative impacts related to fluoride pollution and toxicity.

Morphometric evaluation of Swarnrekha watershed, Madhya Pradesh, India: an integrated GIS-based approach

AbstractThe quantitative analysis of the watershed is vital to understand the hydrological setup of any terrain. The present study deals with quantitative evaluation of Swarnrekha Watershed, Madhya Pradesh, India based on IRS satellite data and SRTM DEM. Morphometric parameters of the watershed were evaluated by computations of linear and areal aspect using standard methodology in GIS environment. ARC GIS software was utilized for morphometric component analysis and delineation of the watershed using SRTM digital elevation model (DEM). The watershed is drained by a fifth-order river and shown a dendritic drainage pattern, which is a sign of the homogeneity in texture and lack of structural control. The drainage density in the area has been found to be low which indicates that the area possesses highly permeable soils and low relief. The bifurcation ratio varies from 3.00 to 5.60 and elongation ratio is 0.518 which reveals that the basin belongs to the elongated shape basin and has the potential for water management. The main objective of the paper is to extract the morphometric parameters of the watershed and their relevance in water resource evaluation management. The results observed from this work would be useful in categorization of watershed for future water management and selection recharge structure in the area.

Hydrological inferences through morphometric analysis of lower Kosi river basin of India for water resource management based on remote sensing data

Satellite based remote sensing technology has proven to be an effectual tool in analysis of drainage networks, study of surface morphological features and their correlation with groundwater management prospect at basin level. The present study highlights the effectiveness and advantage of remote sensing and GIS-based analysis for quantitative and qualitative assessment of flood plain region of lower Kosi river basin based on morphometric analysis. In this study, ASTER DEM is used to extract the vital hydrological parameters of lower Kosi river basin in ARC GIS software. Morphometric parameters, e.g., stream order, stream length, bifurcation ratio, drainage density, drainage frequency, drainage texture, form factor, circularity ratio, elongation ratio, etc., have been calculated for the Kosi basin and their hydrological inferences were discussed. Most of the morphometric parameters such as bifurcation ratio, drainage density, drainage frequency, drainage texture concluded that basin has good prospect for water management program for various purposes and also generated data base that can provide scientific information for site selection of water-harvesting structures and flood management activities in the basin. Land use land cover (LULC) of the basin were also prepared from Landsat data of 2005, 2010 and 2015 to assess the change in dynamic of the basin and these layers are very noteworthy for further watershed prioritization.

Morphotectonic analysis of Sheer Khadd River basin using geo-spatial tools

In the present study, a quantitative morphotectonic analysis of Sheer Khadd River basin has been carried out based on geomorphic and morphometric indices such as hypsometric integral, drainage basin asymmetry, mountain front sinuosity, basin elongation ratio, valley floor width to valley height ratio, river sinuosity and stream length gradient index using ASTER digital elevation model (DEM) and Google Earth images to understand the morphotectonics of the basin. The results indicate that Sheer Khadd River basin is tilting towards east and is elongated in shape due to active faulting and folding activity in the terrain. A moderate hypsometric integral value indicates that the basin is still under mature stage of erosion and reflecting a complexity in topography. Fluctuations in stream length gradient index over fault zones indicate irregularities in the drainage course due to the presence of fluvial knick points. The results of morphotectonic and morphometric analysis using DEM data is useful tool for morphotectonic evaluation of any complex terrain.

Hydrogeological component assessment for water resources management of semi-arid region: a case study of Gwalior, M.P., India

Groundwater management is of fundamental importance to meet the rapidly expanding urban, industrial and agricultural water requirements in semi-arid areas. To assess the current rate of groundwater withdrawal and possibility of recharge of potential aquifer in the semi-arid regions is essential for water management. The present study aimed to identify potential area for groundwater recharge structure in the Gwalior area based on land use, rainfall variation, hydrological component and statistical analysis. In this work, a stream survival approach was used for the assessment of water channel by using triangulated network and regression analysis to find out the correlation of individual component with reference to water management. Land use/land cover (LULC) map prepared from multispectral satellite images of the study area and used to validate the hydrological component and the results observed through the regression model shows good correlation. Therefore, immediate and effective water management schemes are required for sustainable water resource development and management in the area.