Why Geo-Spectrum Interface – A Journal on Earth, Ocean, Space, Planetary,
Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences

INTRODUCTION

A good number of geoscientific journals like American Mineralogist, Bulletin of Geological Society of Finland, Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, Clay Minerals, Journal of Geological Society, London; Journal of Geophysical Research, Precambrian Research, Acta Geological Sinia, Oil Asia, Sedimentary Geology, AAPG Bulletin, Australian Journal of Earth Sciences, Episodes, Economic Geology, Journal of Petrology, Mineralium Deposita, The Canadian Mineralogist, Tectonics, Journal of Geological Society of Japan, EOS etc. are being published world wide by different geological societies. Also, Journal of Geological Society of India, Journal of Earth System Science, Bangalore; Indian Journal of Geology, Indian Journal of Applied Geochemistry, Journal of Indian Association of sedimentologists etc. are brought out in India as monthly/quarterly or biannually. The objective of all such journals is to include articles related to advanced research in the domain of Earth System Science. In our country the Journal of Geological Society of India is the most popular and leading publication making an effort to cater the updated geoscientific knowledge to the satisfaction of the people belonging to all branches of earth science. We are thankful to Dr. B.P. Radhakrishna, Dr.M.S.Rao and dedicated members of Geological Society of India for having nurtured this journal with its regular publication every month.

OBJECTIVES WITH EXPLANATIONS
A question may arise, despite the thumping presence of so many high quality journals worldwide, what was the necessity of the publication of this newly emerging journal – Geo Spectrum Interface? A journal publishing articles (research papers, review papers, short communication, notes) related to Earth, Ocean, Space, Planetary and Environmental sciences within understanding limit of students, researchers and different spheres of geocommunity with social relevance and sustainable development is yet to come to our notice. Therefore, the sole objective of this publication is to popularize and promote Earth, Ocean, Space, Planetary and Environmental sciences inviting popular and review articles on frontier areas of geoscientific research, basic and fundamental facts, the present problems and needs of the society and sustainable development etc. with simple and lucid explanation within understanding limit of students, researchers different spheres of geocommunity. We provide media to incorporate wide ranging articles covering earth science events such as cataclysmic natural disasters (earthquake, tsunami, cyclones, floods, hurricanes, volcanic eruption, landslide, drought etc.), their effects and ways of management; water and mineral resource exploration and exploitation, their management; GIS, GPS, photogrammetry, digital image processing, digital mapping and in general geoinformatics; seismology including 3-D seismics, tectonics, isotope geology, engineering geology, geophysics and geochemistry and their applications in geoscience, micro palaeontology, mineral resource, mining, mineral beneficiation, mineral based industries and their impacts on environment,glacial geology and environment, environmental geology, nano geoscience etc. We have also emphasized important themes viz., Ocean Science and Technology (coastal geology, economics and environment, dynamic and geological oceanography), Space and Planetary science and Technology (atmospheric science, space expeditions, remote sensing technology, planetary geology, global climate, etc.), Environmental science (water, air, land, sea pollution, desertification, radiation hazards, waste disposal and impact of mining activities on environment and their remedial measures). Other relevant themes like geoscience and cultural heritage, geoparks and geotourism, geo ethics, geological and ecological perspectives of wet lands (lagoons, lakes, estuaries etc.) and their management are also under the purview of this journal.

Medical geology is a newly emerging geoscience dealing with the relationship between natural geological factors and health of man and animals. Both deficiencies and toxicities of these elements can cause health problems. Specific examples of the link between geology and health (medical geology) are radon exposure, global dust mobilization, geophagia (deliberate eating of soil), arsenic in drinking water, problems with iodine and fluorine etc. We have tried to present one short note on medical geology in 2005 edition under Geo-Panorama section as it is an emerging interface between ecosystem and human health. The Geological Survey of India had organized one workshop on medical geology as a part of IGCP-454 during February, 2004 in which disastrous effects of arsenic and fluoride on human health were discussed. Commenting on this workshop, Dr. B.P. Raddhakrishna has mentioned that the facts like residues left behind by insecticides and pesticides in soils, pesticide residue in soft drinks marketed by multinational companies, hazardous metal content in trace amount in some medicines should be given importance under the purview of medical geology for the survival of the humanity. Shilalipi invites articles related to wide spectra of medical geology including systematic study of rocks, minerals and mineral products with their geological factors affecting human health. United States Geological Survey, IUGS and IGCP project 454 are deeply involved in the detail studies of uranium etc on human health.

It has been felt that there is a huge gap between what the academic institutions (mostly geology depts. of colleges and universities) teach and what the enterprises/industries need before employing individuals. It is but natural that industries/enterprises desire personnel with domain knowledge but unfortunately fresh graduates and post graduates in geology do not have these skill sets. So there is a need of introducing employment generative teaching. To fulfill this objective Geospectrum Interface attempts to incorporate articles related to employment opportunities in the field of advanced earth system science highlighting courses like photogrammetry, GIS application and in general geoinformatics, CAD application, disaster management, urban and rural land management, waste management etc.

It is unfortunate that the geoscience curriculum in science books is very meager and mostly included under the section geography at the school level. Topics related to recent advances in geoscientific studies in the field of groundwater and mineral resource development, remote sensing technology etc. do not find a place in the syllabus of science. In this context, neither at the Govt. nor at the geo academicians level there is any sincere and concerted endeavour to introduce geology as a separate section in high school (standard IX & X) science book. Therefore, a school student is quite ignorant of this subject when he passes out standard X and develops a concept that geology is a part of geography. The diminishing strength of students in this faculty at college level is deplorable. In this context, popularization of this science among school children through simple, thought provoking and popular talks by geoscientists and academicians, preparation and distribution of booklets on popular themes of geoscience, conduct of geoscience awareness programmes as outdoor learning projects (water related problems of rural and urban community, land use planning in rural and urban areas, disasters and their management) are the demands of the present day. Further, restructuring of geoscience curriculum with inclusion of applicational aspects, adoption of modern technology like computer, internet and LCD projector and co-ordinate training programmes to be sponsored by reputed geoscience based organisations should be taken up at college levels so that this branch of science can emerge as a milestone in promoting human resource development, socio-economic growth and sustainable development.

In this regard the role of commission on Geoscience Education and Training termed COGEOED: IUGS (International Union of Geological Sciences) affiliated to International Council of Science (ICSU) is noteworthy in formulating modern trend of geoscience education and training and this organisation also organizes International Seminars on Geoscience Education in different places of our globe. The next IGEO conference GeosciEdV (Geoscience Education V) shall be organized in Bayreuth, Germany during September 2006. It shall act as a platform to discuss the modern trends of geoscience education and their roles in community development. More information can be available from the website, http:// www.geoscied.org and IGEO, Newsletter. (Dr. Bronte Nicholls, e-mail: NichollsBronte2 @saugov.au).

In the UK, the Govt. has funded a network of organisations called ‘subject centres’ to provide help to lecturers in higher education. The subject center for geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences conducts conferences, workshops, publications and other activities to enhance its teaching methods. Its publications and database of examples of practice (Resource Database) are freely available on-line (www.gees.ac.uk). We invite articles from geoscientists of our country and abroad on Earth System Science education at school and college levels with social relevance and sustainable development.

Disaster is an event that causes great harm or damage to the life and property. Disasters can be broadly grouped as natural: geological (earthquake, volcanic eruption, landslide etc.), climatic (floods, hurricanes / typhoons / cyclones, blizzard i.e. severe snow fall), marine (tsunami and coastal hazards); industrial (release of poisonous gas); transport (train and air accidents); miscellaneous like stampede, bomb blast etc. An attempt has been made to incorporate some articles related to natural disasters and their ways of management in the 2005 volume. However, more thought provoking, updated and upgraded articles are invited for 2007 volume of Geo Spectrum.

The cultural heritage is the expression of cultural identity of a geographical region where the influence of geology and geomorphology play a vital role in their existence. So, awareness about world famous cultural heritage and their protection, conservation and promotion adopting geoscientific knowledge are some prime requisites to be taken up systematically. In order to achieve this goal Geo Spectrum invites articles on Geoscience and Cultural Heritage for the 2007 volume. One such review article has been published in the 2005 edition to generate conciousness among students and public about these invaluable properties.

Space and Planetary Science is an integral part of Earth System Science and it has a great influence on earth science. So, dissemination of knowledge on activities of different space science organisations of our country and abroad like ISRO, ESA (European Space Agency), NASA etc. and knowledge on celestial bodies (asteroids, meteorites, other planets etc.) are very essential for our students and public in general. Atmospheric science also plays a vital role in controlling temperature and climate of the earth. So, articles related to space exploration, atmospheric science, planetary science and global climate etc. have been dealt with in 2005 edition and we shall be very glad to introduce such type of articles with updated knowledge in our 2007 volume.

Our environment has been severely affected by anthropogenic and other activities like global warming, increase in the process of desertification, groundwater pollution and scarcity, receding of glaciers, threat in ozone layer, environmental impact of disasters, waste disposal pattern and many others. Keeping these alarming effects on our globe in view, Shilalipi attempts to develop awareness among students and public about consequences of environmental degradation and their remedial measures through relevant articles.

CONCLUSION
However, we cannot claim that we do publish an excellent and most relevant journal. A better shape can be given to this newly emerging popular publication if experienced, dedicated and resourceful geo intellectuals of our country and abroad shall come forward to contribute thought provoking, popular and review articles catering to the intellectual need of the students as well as public in general about application potentials in the field of Earth System Science.

Dr. B.Mishra,
Chief Editor, Geo Spectrum Interface, Indian Society for Earth, Planetary and Environmental Sciences,
Head Office:Baradanda,P.O- Keonjhar Bazar-758 002, Orissa.

Branch Office:
Chandraprava Street – 2,
Berhampur – 760 001, Orissa, India

E-mail : bmishrageol@rediffmail.com
            geospectrum@rediffmail.com
            egeoenvirospace@gmail.com

Telephone : +91 - 0680 - 2223966
Mobile No: 0943797374