Category Archives: Science And Tech

04Jul 2012

UPSC-Geologist Examination: Syllabus

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UPSC-Geologist Examination 2009

The standard of the paper in General English will be such as may be expected of a science graduate. The papers on geological subjects will be approximately of the M.Sc. degree standard of an Indian University and questions will generally be set to test the candidate’s grasp of the fundamentals in each subject.

There will be no practical examination in any of the subjects.

(1) General English

Candidate will be required to write a short Essay in English.

Other questions will be designed to test their under-standing of English and workmanlike use of words.

(2) Geology – Paper I

Section A: Geomorphology and Remote Sensing.

Basic principles. Weathering and soils, Mass wasting. Influence of climate on processes. Concept of erosion cycles. Geomorphology of fluvial tracts, arid zones, coastal regions, ‘Karst’ landscapes and glaciated ranges. Geomorphic mapping, slope analysis and drainage basin analysis. Applications of geomorphology in mineral prospecting, civil engineering, hydrology and environmental studies. Topographical maps. Geomorphology of India.

Concepts and principles of aerial photography and photogrammetry, satellite remote sensing — data products and their interpretation. Digital image processing. Remote sensing in landform and land use mapping, structural mapping, hydrogeological studies and mineral exploration. Global and Indian Space Missions. Geographic Information System (GIS) — principles and applications.

Section B: Structural Geology

Principles of geological mapping and map reading, projection diagrams. Stress-strain relationships of elastic, plastic and viscous materials. Measurement of strain in deformed rocks. Behaviour of minerals and rocks under deformation conditions. Structural analysis of folds, cleavages, lineations, joints and faults.

Superposed deformation. Mechanism of folding and faulting. Time-relationship between crystallization and deformation. Unconformities and basement-cover relations. Structural behaviour of igneous rocks, diapirs and salt domes. Introduction to petrofabrics.

Section C: Geotectonics

Earth and the solar system, Meteorites and other extra-terrestrial materials, Planetary evolution of the earth and its internal structure. Heterogeneity of the earth’s crust. Major tectonic features of the Oceanic and Continental crust. Continental drift — geological and geophysical evidence, mechanics, objections, present status.

Gravity and magnetic anomalies at Mid-ocean ridges, deep sea trenches, continental shield areas and mountain chains. Palaeomagnetism. Seafloor spreading and Plate Tectonics. Island arcs, Oceanic islands and volcanic arcs. Isostasy, orogeny and epeirogeny. Seismic belts of the earth. Seismicity and plate movements. Geodynamics of the Indian plate.

Section D: Stratigraphy

Nomenclature and the modern stratigraphic code. Radioisotopes and measuring geological time. Geological time-scale. Stratigraphic procedures of correlation of unfossiliferous rocks. Precambrian stratigraphy of India. Stratigraphy of the Palaeozoic, Mesozoic and Cenozoic formations of India. Gondwana system and Gondwanaland. Rise of the Himalaya and evolution of Siwalik basin. Deccan Volcanics. Quaternary Stratigraphy. Rock record, palaeoclimates and palaeogeography.

Section E: Palaeontology

Fossil record and geological time-scale. Morphology and time-ranges of fossil groups. Evolutionary changes in molluscs and mammals in geological time. Principles of evolution. Use of species and genera of foraminifera and echinodermata in biostratigraphic correlation. Siwalik vertebrate fauna and Gondwana flora, evidence of life in Precambrian times, different microfossil groups and their distribution in India.

(3) Geology – Paper II

Section A: Mineralogy

Physical, chemical and crystallographic characteristics of common rock forming silicate mineral groups. Structural classification of silicates. Common minerals of igneous and metamorphic rocks. Minerals of the carbonate, phosphate, sulphide and halide groups.

Optical properties of common rock forming silicate minerals, uniaxial and biaxial minerals. Extinction angles, pleochroism, birefringenece of minerals and their relation with mineral composition. Twinned crystals. Dispersion. The U-stage.

Section B: Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology

Forms, textures and structures of igneous rocks. Silicate melt equilibria, binary and pernery phase diagrams. Petrology and geotectonic evolution of granites, basalts, andesites and alkaline rocks. Petrology of gabbros, kimberlites, anorthosites and carbonatites. Origin of primary basic magmas.

Textures and structures of metamorphic rocks. Regional and contact metamorphism of pelitic and impure calcareous rocks. Mineral assemblages and P/T conditions. Experimental and thermodynamic appraisal of metamorphic reactions. Characteristics of different grades and facies of metamorphism. Metasomatism and granitization, migmatites. Plate tectonics and metamorphic zones. Paired metamorphic belts.

Section C: Sedimentology

Provenance and diagenesis of sediments. Sedimentary textures. Framework matrix and cement of terrigenous sediments. Definition, measurement and interpretation of grain size. Elements of hydraulics. Primary structures, palaeocurrent analysis. Biogenic and chemical sedimentary structures. Sedimentary environment and facies.

Facies modelling for marine, non-marine and mixed sediments. Tectonics and sedimentation. Classification and definition of sedimentary basins, Sedimentary basins of India. Cyclic sediments. Seismic and sequence stratigraphy. Purpose and scope of basin analysis. Structure contours and isopach maps.

Section D: Geochemistry

Earth in relation to the solar system and universe, cosmic abundance of elements. Composition of the planets and meteorites. Structure and composition of earth and distribution of elements. Trace elements. Elementary crystal chemistry and thermodynamics. Introduction to isotope geochemistry. Geochemistry of hydrosphere, biosphere and atmosphere. Geochemical cycle and principles of geochemical prospecting.

Section E: Environmental Geology

Concepts and principles. Natural hazards — preventive/precautionary measures — floods, landslides, earthquakes, river and coastal erosion. Impact assessment of anthropogenic activities such as urbanization, open cast mining and quarrying, river-valley projects, disposal of industrial and radio-active waste, excess withdrawal of ground water, use of fertilizers, dumping of ores, mine waste and fly-ash.

Organic and inorganic contamination of ground water and their remedial measures. Soil degradation and remedial measures. Environment protection — legislative measures in India.

(4) Geology – Paper III

Section A: Indian mineral deposits and mineral economics

Occurrence and distribution in India of metalliferous deposits — base metals, iron, manganese, aluminium, chromium, nickel, gold, silver, molybdenum. Indian deposits of non-metals — mica, asbestos, barytes, gypsum, graphite, apatite and beryl. Gemstones, refractory minerals, abrasives and minerals used in glass, fertilizer, paint, ceramic and cement industries. Building stones. Phosphorite deposits. Placer deposits, rare earth minerals.

Strategic, critical and essential minerals. India’s status in mineral production. Changing patterns of mineral consumption. National Mineral Policy. Mineral Concession Rules. Marine mineral resources and Law of Sea.

Section B: Ore genesis

Ore deposits and ore minerals. Magmatic processes of mineralisation. Porphyry, skarn and hydrothermal mineralisation. Fluid inclusion studies. Mineralisation associated with — (i) ultramafic, mafic and acidic rocks, (ii) greenstone belts, (iii) komatiites, anorthosites and kimberlites and (iv) submarine volcanism. Magma-related mineralisation through geological time. Stratiform and stratabound ores. Ores and metamorphism — cause and effect relations.

Section C: Mineral exploration

Methods of surface and subsurface exploration, prospecting for economic minerals — drilling, sampling and assaying. Geophysical techniques — gravity, electrical, magnetic, airborne and seismic. Geomorphological and remote sensing techniques. Geobotanical and geochemical methods. Borehole logging and surveys for deviation.

Section D: Geology of fuels

Definition, origin of coal. Stratigraphy of coal measures. Fundamentals of coal petrology, peat, lignite, bituminous and anthracite coal. Microscopic constituents of coal. Industrial application of coal petrology. Indian coal deposits. Diagenesis of organic materials.

Origin, migration and entrapment of natural hydorcarbons. Characters of source and reservoir rocks. Structural, stratigraphic and mixed traps. Techniques of exploration. Geographical and geological distributions of onshore and offshore petroliferous basins of India.

Mineralogy and geochemistry of radioactive minerals. Instrumental techniques of detection and measurement of radioactivity. Radioactive methods for prospecting and assaying of mineral deposits. Distribution of radioactive minerals in India. Radioactive methods in petroleum exploration — well logging techniques. Nuclear waste disposal — geological constraints.

Section E: Engineering geology

Mechanical properties of rocks and soils. Geological investigations for river valley projects — Dams and reservoirs; tunnels — types, methods and problems. Bridges — types and foundation problems. Shoreline engineering. Landslides — classification, causes, prevention and rehabilitation. Concrete aggregates — sources, alkali-aggregate reaction. Aseismic designing — seismicity in India and earthquake-resistant structures. Problems of groundwater in engineering projects. Geotechnical case studies of major projects in India.

(5) Hydrogeology

Section A: Origin, occurrence and distribution of water.

Origin of water: meteroic, juvenile, magmatic and sea waters, Hydrologic cycle: precipitation, runoff, infiltration and evapotranspiration, Hydrographs. Subsurface movement and vertical distribution of groundwater, Springs, Classification of aquifers, Concepts of drainage basin and groundwater basin. hydrological properties of rocks – specific yield, specific retention, porosity, hydraulic conductivity, transmissivity, storage coefficient, water table fluctuations – causative factors, concept of barometric and tidal efficiencies, water table contour maps, Classification of rocks with respect to their water bearing characteristics, Hydro-stratigraphic units, Groundwater provinces of India, Hydrogeology of and Zones of India, wet lands.

Section B: Well hydraulies and well design

Theory of groundwater flow, Darey’s Law and its applications, determination of permeability in laboratory and in field, Types of wells, drilling methods, construction, design, development and maintenance of wells, specific capacity and its determination. Unconfined, confined, steady, unsteady and radial flow conditions, Pumps tests – methods, data analysis and interpretation for hydrogeologic boundaries, Evaluation of aquifer parameters using Thiem, Theis, Jacob and Walton methods, Groundwater modeling – numerical and electrical models.

Section C: Groundwater chemistry

Groundwater quality – physical and chemical properties of water, quality criteria for different uses, graphical presentation of water quality data, groundwater quality in different provinces of India – problems of arsenic and fluoride, Saline water intrusion in coastal and other aquifers and its prevention, Radioisotopes in hydrogeological studies, Groundwater contamination.

Section D: Groundwater exploration

Geological – lithological and structural mapping, fracture trace analysis, Hydrogeological – lithological classification with respect of hydrologic properties, Hydraulic continuity in relation to geologic structures, Location of springs Remote sensing – hydrogeomorphic mapping of the terrain using different images of different satellite missions, lineament mapping, shallow groundwater potential zone mapping using satellite images, Surface geophysical methods – seismic, gravity, geo-electrical and magnetic, Subsurface geophysical methods – well logging for delineation of aquifers and estimation of water quality.

Section E: Groundwater problems and management.

Groundwater problems related to foundation work, mining, canals and tunnels, Problems of over exploitation and groundwater mining. Groundwater development in urban areas and rain water harvesting, Artificial recharge methods, Groundwater problems in arid regions and remediation. Groundwater balance and methods of estimation. Groundwater legislation. Sustainability criteria and managing renewable and nonrenewable groundwater resources.

 

 

26Nov 2011

Valve and Sensing Technology: Performance From the Inside Out

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In addition to automotive applications, Schrader technology is utilized in markets such as industrial, robotics, construction and hospital environments.

In addition to automotive applications, Schrader technology is utilized in markets such as industrial, robotics, construction and hospital environments.

(Coal Geology/NewsUSA) – “Innovation” is a term companies use quite often. While many companies are quick to brand themselves as inventive, very few have the legacy and pioneering spirit to be truly innovative. But occasionally, a few great companies manage to prove their claims of innovation by successfully extending core technologies into new fields and applications.
You may be grasping at air when you try to explain valve and sensing technologies to a friend. While many don’t see or interact with these technologies on a daily basis, they are utilized in applications that many customers and end-users use each and every day -; and the roles these technologies play in your everyday safety and comfort shouldn’t go unnoticed. One such valve and sensing technology manufacturer, Schrader, takes innovation seriously.
“Since 1891, our valve and sensing technology has played a critical safety role within global automotive applications. We invented the first pneumatic tire valve, the very same valve used on every vehicle in the world today. More recently, we pioneered tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS), now required on all new vehicles in North America, and growing in European and Asian-Pacific countries,” says Paul Wise, director of marketing at Schrader. “However, what differentiates Schrader is our ability to extend these foundational technologies to new markets and applications.”
For example, Schrader has been successful in adapting its sensor technology to monitor power transmission belts and industrial hoses, which are found in diverse applications for factory equipment, construction, agriculture, robotics and other markets as well.
“Many of these applications are considered ‘capital equipment,’ meaning when the piece of equipment is down because of a broken belt or a burst hose, it translates to a real operational cost to owners,” said Enda McCloskey, vice president of technology, Schrader. “Our new belt and hose monitoring systems remove the guess work about when to perform critical maintenance.”
Schrader valve and sensing technology within automotive applications helps to save lives, reduce fuel costs, and reduce environmental impact via TPMS. Additionally, Schrader’s continued history of innovation has resulted in an all-electric way to better measure fuel levels in gas tanks as well as new flex fuel sensors for hybrid vehicles — its technology has even expanded to the medical field, including oxygen monitoring for hospital and patient environments.
For more information, visit www.schraderinternational.com.

26Nov 2011

Are Teens Prepared for the Future?

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Club Tech teaches youth a variety of technology-driven programs, including arts and music.

Club Tech teaches youth a variety of technology-driven programs, including arts and music.

(Calcutta Tube/NewsUSA) – Among the latest tech gadgets, cell phones and social media sites, today’s teen is more connected than ever. Although teens are surrounded by a flurry of electronics and digital media, are they gaining the skills needed to succeed in a technology-driven world?
According to the Department of Commerce, students educated in science, technology, engineering and math at any level make 26 percent more money overall than counterparts who have studied in other fields.
Several non-profits and corporations have rallied together to highlight the importance of teaching young people critical digital literacy skills.
“The access to technology kids get outside of school is often an important complement to the learning that happens in the classrooms,” said Dan Rauzi, senior director of technology programs at Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
Boys & Girls Clubs has a long history of providing educational and developmental programs for youth in communities nationwide. Through a national partnership with Microsoft and Comcast, its Club Tech program provides free software and access to technology lessons to youth of all ages. In 2010 alone, the program reached over 850,000 kids who learned how to design posters, collaborate on film projects and make their own music.
Daniel Flores, 16, has participated in Club Tech for two years at Boys & Girls Club of Greater Holland, Mich. He believes the skills he is acquiring in graphic design will help him get into an art college and pursue a career one day. In fact, he’s started his own small business offering Web and graphic design services.
“I wanted to create a business that helps other companies market and promote their ideas by developing websites, logos and print making,” Flores said.
According to a recent study, teens like Flores who participate in after-school technology programs exhibit a more positive outlook on their future. Many also become more positive about finishing high school and attending college.
“Club Tech is more than just providing computers. We give kids and teens an opportunity to express themselves artistically and engage with technology in a way that builds confidence and real-world skills,” added Rauzi.

26Nov 2011

Public Safety and Business Security Turn to HD Technology

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Digital surveillance systems provide high-resolution images and better evidence.

Digital surveillance systems provide high-resolution images and better evidence.

(Coal Geology/NewsUSA) – Although cities are vibrant centers of culture and business, city dwellers must deal with public safety issues like theft, assault and vandalism. When law enforcement is stretched thin, who is held accountable for such crime, and how can individuals and businesses tighten security?
When a theft at his former business remained unsolved despite a significant investment in surveillance equipment, business owner Alexander Fernandes had a vision — build the world’s best surveillance systems based on emerging high-definition (HD) technology.
“Low-quality surveillance footage simply isn’t cutting it anymore. If the image is fuzzy and grainy, what kind of evidence is it? What kind of deterrent is it?” asks Fernandes, now the co-founder and CEO of Avigilon, a global supplier of HD video surveillance solutions. “Businesses, governments and other organizations need quality images that can be used to provide usable evidence in order to promote public safety, manage liability and ultimately detect and deter crimes.”
High-definition images can provide irrefutable evidence, which is revolutionizing security-monitoring systems for public transportation, government organizations and businesses on a global scale.
Despite the availability of higher-quality HD solutions most installed surveillance systems still use analog technology, which results in grainy footage because of low-resolution cameras and poor-quality recording equipment. The perceived higher cost of HD is a reason why some organizations are not jumping to upgrade. Buyers won’t, or can’t, pay a premium for better technology. Related is the fact that new HD components must be compatible with existing analog surveillance equipment and IT infrastructure.
Avigilon has responded to the demand and barriers of adopting HD surveillance by architecting a complete system that delivers the best image detail, yet also eases the burden of cost, installation and support. To-date, Avigilon systems have been installed in more than 80 countries as organizations recognize the advantages of HD technology.
“We can cover 50,000 spectators in a stadium with 10 of our cameras and get facial recognition and valid, usable evidence,” says Fernandes. “It could literally take over a thousand analog cameras to get that extreme detail.”
Many other valuable non-security uses for HD surveillance are also emerging, such as analyzing traffic flow and staffing productivity.
Learn more about using HD digital surveillance systems to protect and enhance your business or community by visiting www.avigilon.com.