V.O.Chidambaram College, Tuticorin

New geochemical and geochronological data are presented for a suite of metavolcanic rocks of the Kudrekonda Formation, Shimoga Greenstone Belt, western Dharwar Craton. Earlier studies assigned the Kudrekonda Formation to the Mesoarchean Bababudan Group, while the Medur and Daginakatte Formations to the Neoarchean Lower Chitradurga Group. Precise age data on the metavolcanic rocks of the Kudrekonda Formation are needed to understand their temporal relationship with those of the Daginakatte and Medur Formations and Bababudan and Chitradurga greenstone belts. We report U–Pb ages, determined using LA-ICP-MS (laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry), of 2585.2 ± 18 Ma (MSWD = 1.9), 2608.2 ± 11.0 Ma (MSWD = 3.8) and 2586.7 ± 16.0 Ma (MSWD = 0.66) for basalt, andesite and dacite of Kudrekonda Formation, respectively. These ages determined are indistinguishable from the earlier reported ages of the Medur and Daginakatte Formations; thus, they possibly were emplaced in basins developed within a short period around the Honnali Dome. Metavolcanic rocks show enrichment of LREE and Th with prominent negative Nb and Sr anomaly, indicating their magmas formed in an island arc tectonic setting by partial melting of mixed lithosphere–asthenospheric mantle sources. These sources were metasomatized with older crustal components as inferred from initial εHf values of the zircons (+1.8 to +9.1) that fall below the depleted mantle growth curve and above the field for enriched continental crustal rocks.

Background & objectives Timely reperfusion reduces mortality in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Telemedicine and social media have been shown to improve STEMI care in community settings as reported previously. We established a government-sponsored STEMI care system in the State of Tamil Nadu with a goal of enhancing guideline-directed revascularisation (GDR) in STEMI. This study aimed to improve GDR by networking non-percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)-capable hospitals with PCI capable hospitals in a hub-and-spoke model and implementing telemedicine through social media groups. Methods Eighteen Government medical college hospitals were provided cardiac catheterisation laboratories and linked to 188 Taluk and non-PCI capable Government hospitals forming 18 STEMI clusters. Telemedicine guidance on STEMI management was provided through WhatsApp groups created for each cluster. Cumulative daily data on the number of STEMIs, the revascularisation provided, and mortality were collected through free online web forms. Annual cumulative data on STEMI volumes and GDR were analysed. Results A total of 71,907 individuals were treated for STEMI from 2019 to 2023. A 67 per cent annual increase in the total individuals treated for STEMI was observed. The proportion of individuals receiving pharmaco-invasive therapy (PIT) increased from 7.9 to 31.7 per cent. There was a 68 per cent increase in the individuals receiving primary PCI. The number of individuals without GDR decreased by 20 per cent. There was a 6.7-fold rise in the individuals referred from spoke to hub hospitals for catheter-based revascularization. Overall mortality showed a marginal decrease from 8.7 to 8.4 per cent. Interpretation & conclusions Findings of this study suggest that a government-sponsored STEMI care system in a hub-and-spoke model, guided by telemedicine through social media groups will improve GDR in STEMI care in developing nations.

The present study focuses on understanding the groundwater geochemistry and hydrochemical characteristics of the Srivaikundam region, Tamil Nadu, with special concern on seasonal and spatial variations in groundwater quality. Groundwater samples were collected during the pre-monsoon (2021) and post-monsoon (2022) seasons, and required water quality parameters were analyzed, including pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), electrical conductivity, and concentrations of major ions such as sodium (Na⁺), calcium (Ca2⁺), magnesium (Mg2⁺), chloride (Cl⁻), bicarbonate (HCO₃⁻), and sulfate (SO₄2⁻). Further ionic ratios, such as Na + /Cl⁻ and Ca2⁺/Mg2⁺, helped to characterize the groundwater quality to understand the ion exchange occurring in areas affected by seawater intrusion. The Gibbs diagram revealed that groundwater chemistry is primarily controlled by rock-water interactions, while the ionic ratios confirmed the significant influence of marine water mixing in the coastal aquifers. In addition to that, the study highlights the role of the strip aquifer system in regulating groundwater flow and storage, which influences the seasonal variations in water quality. The strip aquifer system, consisting of both unconfined and semi-confined aquifers, is highly vulnerable based on the impacts of anthropogenic activities and reflected in the elevated concentrations of salts and other ions. According to the WHO 2017 guidelines, certain areas exhibited high levels of TDS, chloride, and magnesium, which alarm potential risks related to salinity and pollution, particularly due to the effects of human activities in the study region. This study exhibits the need for continuous monitoring and the adoption of effective groundwater management strategies in the study region to mitigate the impacts of seawater intrusion and pollution on the water quality of the study region.

Submarine Groundwater Discharge (SGD) has a global impact, affecting coastal aquifers, the freshwater environment, and contributing to coastal development. The present study investigates the impact of Submarine Groundwater Discharge (SGD) on groundwater geochemistry along the coast from Chettikulam to Kolachel in Southern India, with an emphasis on regional changes pre and post monsoons in the years 2023–2024. A total of 80 groundwater samples (40 from both monsoons) were analyzed using hydrochemical plots such as Piper, Wilcox, Gibbs, and Hydrochemical Facies Evolution Diagrams (HFE-D), along with AquaChem software and spatial mapping techniques. Hydrogeochemical analysis reveals significant seawater intrusion during the pre-monsoon period, with 48% of groundwater samples categorized under the Mixed Ca–Mg–Cl facies and 30% under the Ca–Cl facies, leading to elevated salinity, total dissolved solids (TDS), chloride, and sulfate concentrations. In contrast, post-monsoon conditions demonstrate improved water quality due to monsoonal recharge, with 55% of samples in the mixed Ca–Mg–Cl facies but exhibiting reduced salinity. Water Quality Index (WQI) analysis shows an increase in 'Excellent' water samples from 22.5% pre-monsoon to 37.5% post-monsoon. The Wilcox diagram highlights a reduction in salinity hazards, improving groundwater suitability for irrigation. The Seawater Mixing Index (SMI) indicates the seawater intrusion in coastal zones, although monsoonal dilution mitigates its effects. Seasonal variation in hydrochemical facies reveals a decrease in the freshening phase from 60% pre-monsoon to 45% post-monsoon, alongside an expansion of the intrusion phase from 40 to 55%. The study underscores the need for ongoing groundwater monitoring and effective water management strategies to sustainable coastal aquifers impacted by Submarine Groundwater Discharge (SGD).

Salinization and anthropogenic pollution are the primary threats to groundwater in the semi-arid regions of southern Tamil Nadu in India. India accounts for 11.6% of the world’s agriculture, and also its economy is based on a variety of agricultural activities; especially the Madurai district makes a substantial contribution to meeting the needs of Indian agriculture, particularly in the areas of paddy, pulses, millets, and it makes significant revenues from those activities. The present research evaluated the pre- and post-monsoon groundwater samples from weathered crystalline aquifer across the tourism, mining, and industrial areas of Melur block (Madurai District) to determine the underlying human and biological processes and their suitability for agricultural irrigation. Abundance of cations (Na⁺ > Ca²⁺ > Mg²⁺ > K⁺) and anions (HCO3⁻ > Cl⁻ > SO4²⁻ > NO3⁻ > F⁻) exhibited hydro-chemical facies of Na⁺–Cl⁻, Ca²⁺–Mg²⁺–HCO3⁻, Ca²⁺–Mg²⁺–SO4²⁻, and Na⁺–HCO3⁻ for the pre- and post-monsoon samples. Ninety percent of these specimens in the rock–water interplay dominance field of the Gibbs plot suggested the influence of aquifer lithology on groundwater chemistry, which in turn enhanced the TDS. IWQI values categorized that nearly 25% of samples were on low restriction during both seasons for irrigation accordingly, and the remaining 75% of the samples confirmed on moderate to severe restriction classes, meaning they couldn’t apply for irrigational purposes. The geology of the area (e.g., types of rocks and soils), along with mixing and dilution processes, may consistently influence the groundwater quality, leading to similar profiles in both pre- and post-monsoon periods. This comprehensive study provides a hydrogeological database in comparison with WHO (Guidelines for drinking water quality: fourth edition incorporating the first addendum. World Health Organization, Geneva, 2017) guidelines and through the estimations of irrigation indices and IWQI to aid in managing sustainable groundwater resources of Madurai district in south India.

This study investigates groundwater potential zones (GWPZ) in the southern coastal regions of India, specifically from Chettikulam to Kolachal, using remote sensing (RS) and geographic information system (GIS) techniques. The primary objective is to identify suitable locations for sustainable groundwater storage and select subsurface basins for household and irrigation use. The research incorporates multiple thematic layers, including geomorphology, lithology, land use and land cover (LULC), lineament density, drainage density, slope, Digital Elevation Model (DEM), and rainfall, to provide a comprehensive analysis of groundwater availability and distribution. The Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and GIS were employed to normalize and weight each criterion, enabling a weighted index overlay analysis of the eight thematic layers. Groundwater recharge zones were classified into low, medium, and high potential based on cumulative weighted values. The results indicate that the majority of the study area lies in the low to moderate groundwater potential zones, with low-potential zones occupying 46.72%, medium-potential zones accounting for 49.14%, and high and extremely high potential zones representing 2.82% and 1.32%, respectively. These findings highlight the fact that medium- to high-prospective areas have greater potential for groundwater extraction. The study underscores the significance of understanding geological and hydrological complexities such as lithological variations, land use changes, and drainage patterns to support sustainable urban development and groundwater management.

Assessing the level of seawater intrusion into aquifers along the coast is a critical issue in managing groundwater resources. The GALDIT model is appropriate for mapping and assessing the susceptibility of seawater intrusion through the assessment of several parameters using systematic GIS techniques. Seawater intrusion (SWI) must be effectively diagnosed in order to permit the sustainable use of groundwater resources in coastal regions. The existing GALDIT was divided into two categories to estimate the degree of vulnerability to seawater intrusion: dynamic (height to groundwater level above sea level; L), stable (occurrence of groundwater; G), aquifer hydraulic conductivity (A), and distance from the coast (D). The groundwater quality index for seawater intrusion (GQISWI), the study region, geostatistics, and a new vulnerability mapping method GIS and the Herzberg model were both developed. The groundwater contamination trend in the coastal aquifer due to seawater intrusion is ascertained through the use of the model. The suggested approach can be used to develop a water resource management plan that protects vulnerable coastal areas and takes into consideration the seasons that are more likely to cause harm. In coastal areas, there is an extremely high vulnerability zone to saltwater intrusion. The covered area percentages were as follows: 27.07% are low, 34.41% are medium, 28.4% are high, and 10.11% are very high. As a result, in order to mitigate the impact of saltwater, fresh groundwater sustainability management strategies must be implemented. According to the vulnerability assessment, significant attention must be paid to coastal environment planning and adaptation to catastrophic events in order to ensure the safety and well-being of coastal people and the framework.

Background Cyclophosphamide is one of the most extensively used chemotherapeutic drugs and is employed to treat several malignancies. Cyclophosphamide often comes with several unpleasant side effects. The primary negative consequence of cyclophosphamide in clinical chemotherapy is immunosuppression, which can lead to life-threatening complications. Objectives: The present work was dedicated to exploring the therapeutic effects of Andrographis paniculata against cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression in mice. Materials and Methods The BALB/c mice were treated with 80 mg/kg of cyclophosphamide to achieve immunosuppression and treated with 250 and 500 mg/kg of A. paniculata extract. 10 mg/kg of levamisole was used as a standard drug. After the completion of the treatments, the body weights of the experimental animals were measured. The immune organs (spleen and thymus) were determined by standard methods. The levels of blood components were studied using an automated hematological analyzer. The macrophage phagocytic index, humoral response, and delayed immune response were studied by standard methods. The histopathological analysis was done on the heart, spleen, and thymus. Results The treatment with 250 and 500 mg/kg of A. paniculata extract substantially increased the body weight and elevated the immune organ index in the immunosuppressed mice. The changes in the levels of hematological parameters were successfully modulated by A. paniculata. The levels of macrophage phagocytic index and delayed and humoral immune responses were boosted by the A. paniculata extract treatment in the immunosuppressed mice. The outcomes of histopathological analysis exhibited that the A. paniculata extract attenuated the cyclophosphamide-induced damage to the heart, thymus, and spleen tissues. Conclusion The findings of the current work validate the immunomodulatory properties of A. paniculata extract in cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppressed mice. Hence, it was clear that A. paniculata can be a talented immunomodulatory agent to treat immunological complications.

The subsurface soil and rock characteristics in the Colachel Harbor area are investigated in this study utilizing resistivity and magneto-telluric methods. The obtained data utilizing clay formation investigations and the Carbon Floating 2D Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) method, which included CRM-500 AUTO-C equipment, multi-carbon floating electrodes, multicore cables, and a manually operated switching unit. Two 2D electrical resistivity imaging profiles were obtained utilizing the Wenner configuration, providing precise insights into subsurface lithology up to a depth of 300 m. High-wave impact on fractured rock fragments in Varkala sandstone resulted in clay soil layers at depths ranging from 2.52 m to 2.75 m. The findings demonstrate the effectiveness of 2D Electrical Resistivity Imaging (ERI) in identifying underlying soil and rock exposures, which is critical for harbor building and coastal management. Identifying an expanding clay layer resembling fine-grained silt and clay on the seafloor is crucial for understanding sediment transport and deposition mechanisms in the region. Implications point to the necessity for additional geotechnical evaluations and ongoing monitoring to ensure coastal infrastructure stability and sustainability. For thorough subsurface characterization, the combination of resistivity and magneto-telluric techniques works well, and the results provide useful information for coastal development plans in the future.

The mafic dolerite dyke crosscut the charnockite basement in the Kunnam region. The dykes throughout the area were highly fractured and there are various faults and joints are seen. The proper methodology was followed for collecting the unaltered rock samples in the study area. The rock reflects ophitic to sub-ophitic textures and is mainly composed of plagioclase feldspar, clino-pyroxene and opaque minerals (magnetite and titanomagnetite), olivine and quartz are observed as accessory minerals. The geochemical studies indicate that the rock has basic composition based on the percentage of silica. The TAS classification diagram for the mafic dyke shows that the samples fall under basaltic composition in the classification of the volcanic rock, and gabbroic composition in the classification of the plutonic rock. The K2O versus silica diagram shows that the rock samples fall under the category of calc-alkaline series. The rock weathering was examined with A–CN–K plot indicating that the dolerite rock samples fall under low weathering margin.

This research paper aims to define and analyze a new class of sets, named G- J_S Open sets with a grill set G of X in a grill topological space (X,τ,G). Also, we track down the characteristics and some of the properties work in the above-mentioned set.

Coastal aquifers are growing more vulnerable to intrusion by seawater, which poses serious problems for the management of water resources in areas like the Thamirabarani Delta in India. Using the GALDIT model, the saltwater intrusion susceptibility of the Mukkani and Palayakayal coastal areas in the Thamirabarani Delta is evaluated. The presence of groundwater, the aquifer conductivity, the groundwater’s level, the distance from the beach, the impact of the present seawater intrusion, and the aquifer thickness are the six critical parameters that make up this model. The parameter evaluation process is backed by GIS approaches and makes use of data from a variety of sources, such as CGWB and TWAD board data for geological studies. The study also uses the GQISWI, which stands for Groundwater Quality Index for Saltwater Intrusion, to assess the hydrochemical parameters that indicate the major issue of saltwater intrusion. The study area is primarily composed of low vulnerability zones, with medium and high vulnerability zones following closely behind, according to the findings, which show that there is geographical variety in risk. These results highlight the value of GALDIT and other comprehensive vulnerability assessment tools for making informed judgments and environmentally responsible resource management possible, as well as the significance of focused management techniques for preventing saltwater intrusion into coastal aquifers.

This study uses a thorough grain size analysis approach to the depositional environment in the Thamirabarani River basin, specifically in the Srivaikundam district of Tamil Nadu, India. There is a significant lack of research on the depositional settings and sediment features unique to the Thamirabarani River basin, even though there have been numerous sediments studies conducted in other river basins. Consequently, the purpose of this study is to investigate the depositional habitats and sediment characteristics of this area. The majority of the 18 sediment samples were determined to be medium-to fine-grained and poorly sort-able after extensive analysis using granulometric research and sieve methods. The low-energy formation process took place in a largely fine-grained or very fine-grained sandy soil, as indicated by the sediments platykurtic and mesokurtic morphologies. The depositional habitats within the region can be better understood by classifying the soil based on ternary plots of clay, silt, and sand, such as particle distribution curve. Furthermore, comparison with a unified soil classification chart aids in further categorizing the soil types. Soils can be classified and the depositional settings of different landscapes, such as rivers, estuaries, beaches, and aeolian terrains, can be better understood with the use of this comprehensive grain size study. Another interesting aspect of the Thamirabarani River basin sediment movement and deposition is the slow breakdown of rocks, especially feldspar and quartz, as they move through rivers and streams.

Groundwater is one of the important natural resources that is essential to sustain the life on Earth. Crisis related to groundwater and other water resources is becoming severe in the recent years. Controlled use of water recourses and management of groundwater aquifers in indispensable. This study has been carried out to identify groundwater recharge or groundwater potential area of Alappuzha, Kerala, South India. Groundwater potential signifies the total quantity of water that occupying in the aquifer, and it varies from one area to another due to change in aquifer properties. Investigation on the groundwater potential study is done by Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and also incorporating Geographical Information System (GIS). Eight thematic GIS layers including geology, geomorphology, soil, rainfall, slope, drainage density, land use/ land cover (LULC) and lineament density were chosen. Pair-wise comparison technique was employed to assign weight and rank to these layers and the weighted sum of all these layers aided to create the groundwater potential zone (GWPZ) map of Alappuzha. The map classified the study area in to five zones, very high, high, moderate, poor and very poor. In Alappuzha very high potential zone is extends up to 106 km² about 8% of the study area. High potential zones spread over 755.4 km² (59%) of the area. 311.9 km² (24%) of Alappuzha is occupied by moderate GWPZ. The poor and very poor GWPZ covers about 85.01 km² (7%) and 16.9 km² (1.2%), of the study area respectively. The least unsuitable for subsurface recharge was identified along the coastal stretch, characterized by high drainage density and intense discharge rate.

Nanobiotechnology has been emerging as an interesting scientific branch holds its applicability in biology, medicine etc. Exploiting the capacity of biogenic metal nanoparticles in areas like biomedicine and therapeutics with peculiarities such as eco-friendly, cheap and biocompatible, the green synthesized bimetallic nanopaticles, silver-zinc oxide nanopaticles (Ag–ZnO NPs), were chosen to find out their anticancer properties. Herein, the Ag–ZnO NPs were fabricated by using the leaf extract of Capparis zeylanica (C. zeylanica) plant. Further, the Ag–ZnO NPs were subjected to characterization, and they were tested for their anticancer potential on the breast cancer cells, MDA-MB-231.The cell viability study implied that the IC50 value of MDA-MB-231 cells was 43.46 ± 2.56, achieved at a 10 μg/ml concentration of Ag–ZnO NPs. The NPs-treated cancer cells exhibited the ROS-mediated apoptotic changes that were visualized through fluorescent microscopic images using acridine orange/ethydium bromide (AO/EB) staining, 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI), and propidium iodide (PI) staining. The findings of the current study point out that the green Ag–ZnO NPs seem to be an efficient anticancer agent.

The severe monsoon flooding in 2021 exposed the intricate hydrogeological processes affecting groundwater resources near Ayankulam village in the semi-arid terrain of South Tamil Nadu, India. Despite extensive inundation from overflow of the Nambiar canal, the village well remained dry due to diversion of recharge away from shallow aquifers into deeper concealed karst formations present in the underlying calcarenite bedrock. Detailed geophysical surveys utilizing Azimuthal Square array resistivity combined with Magnetotellurics successfully identified and mapped subsurface pathways of sinking streams that rapidly transported surface water vertically into deeper fractured basement aquifers instead of laterally recharging the shallower dug well. Geochemical analysis of groundwater samples collected from wells in the area revealed progressive evolution of ionic compositions along groundwater flow paths dominated by water–rock interactions including carbonate mineral dissolution, silicate weathering, cation exchange and evaporation. Findings indicated that excessive recharge from heavy rainfall events caused accelerated subsurface drainage of fresh groundwater away from inland recharge zones near Ayankulam village towards the coast. This rapid drainage driven by the hydrostatic pressure exerted by the intense monsoon recharge on the highly permeable karst conduit networks buried beneath the low permeability overlying clay-rich soils. The diversion of freshly recharged water from the surface into deeper aquifers before it could reach the shallow dug well resulted in the phenomenon of “dry fallout” observed in Ayankulam village. This integrated geophysical and geochemical study provided evidence that sinking streams and the complex linkage between shallow and deeper aquifers control groundwater occurrence and movement in the region. The findings emphasize the need for enhanced monitoring and measurement of hydrogeological parameters coupled with integrated water resources management. This is vital for sustainably harnessing water resources amidst growing demands from the increasing population and intensifying climate change pressures that exacerbate rainfall variability.

In this study, lanthanum ferrites with strontium and magnesium-doped perovskite-type structures intended for energy storage were developed. Sr and Mg-doped lanthanum ferrites are constructed using the citrate auto-combustion dry gel technique. Several analytical tools were used to characterize the doped materials. Because the stabilization of mass loss happened above this temperature and no phase transformation was seen from thermo gravimetric analysis, the calcination procedure was carried out at 450 °C. The X-ray diffraction data has confirmed the existence of a single powder phase in the air-sintered materials and the mixing of the powdered phases during the calcination process. The presence of agglomerated sheets in the samples was revealed by scanning electron microscopy. The LSFM samples exhibit weak ferromagnetic interactions, according to the VSM analysis of the magnetization curve and the hysteresis loops. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy showed that the 20% strontium and magnesium samples had better conductivity. These findings suggest that increasing the Sr and Mg content increases sample conductivity while decreasing the activation energy of the conduction process. As a result, the perovskite oxides synthesized in this study have the potential to be cathodes for supercapacitors and magnetic devices.

This study examined the factors influencing visitors’ willingness to pay for improved ecosystem services through the conservation of the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) in the Nilgiris District, Tamil Nadu, India. The MTR plays a crucial role in providing and protecting various ecosystem services. However, it is vulnerable to negative externalities and drivers of ecosystem change, which affect the quality and quantity of ecosystem services, leading to the loss of valuable ecosystem services. To address this issue, it is necessary to understand the adverse effects of externalities and drivers of ecosystem change, as well as to consider people’s preferences. To investigate the factors influencing visitors’ willingness to pay for enhanced ecosystem services in MTR, this study used a dichotomous choice-contingent valuation method and a logit regression model. The study found that 64% of visitors expressed concern about mitigating adverse impacts and were willing to provide financial support. The results of the logit regression analysis further revealed that factors such as family size, respondent education, monthly family income, environmental awareness, and bid price significantly influenced visitors’ willingness to pay. To enhance ecosystem benefits and address the challenges in tiger conservation within the reserve, our study suggests that several measures need to be implemented, including prioritizing education, awareness, the mitigation of human–wildlife conflict, and income-linked and dynamic pricing strategies.