Dr. N.C. Mondal

Principal Scientist , Electrical and Heliborne Geophysics

Dr. N.C. Mondal

mondal@ngri.res.in

Academic Identity
              

Specialization

Groundwater geophysics, hydrogeology, groundwater pollution, aquifer modeling, entropy theory in water resources

Research Area

Dr. N.C. Mondal received B.Sc. Physics (Hons.) degree from The University of Burwan, West Bengal and M.Sc. Tech. Geophysics from Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi. He obtained his Ph.D. in Geophysics from Osmania University, Hyderabad and also pursued Advance Groundwater Modeling Study at Texas A&M University,  USA. He is the recipient (s) of the BOYSCAST Fellowship (DST, GoI), The National Geoscience Award (Ministry of Mines, GoI), Bharat Jyoti Award (IIFS, New Delhi), & Best Researcher Award (VDGOOD, Chennai). Elected as Joint Secretary of AGGS & Executive Member of AHI, He has been honored as “Fellow (s)" of Telangana Academy of Sciences (FTAS), Geological Society (India), and Global Groundwater Scientists (AGGS).

Presently Dr. Mondal is working as a Principal Scientist of Electrical & Heliborne Geophysics Group, CSIR-National Geophysical Research Institute, Hyderabad, India & holding Associate Professor of Physical Sciences, Academy of Scientific & Innovative Research (AcSIR). 

His principal research topics encompassed groundwater exploration, hydrochemistry, aquifer modeling, and entropy theory in water resources. He has developed (1) an efficient & versatile technique for estimation of groundwater potential zones, (2) an Index called Saline Water Mixing Index (SWMI) for evaluating the relative degrees of saline water mixing, (3) a novel technique developed for estimating the natural backgrounds of groundwater pollution, (4) a new innovative entropy-based model for assessing natural groundwater reserve, and (5) also an interaction-based model for assessing the degrees of hydrogeological vulnerability.

Dr. Mondal has actively contributed in the Pilot Project on Aquifer Mapping (AQUIM) using combined ground and heliborne geophysical surveys and proved that a combination of electrical and electromagnetic investigations delineates the aquifer in sedimentary basin with certainty.

He has credited more than 113-Research Articles in International & Indian Journals (Google Scholar Citations: 3939, h-index: 33 & i10-Index: 66; https://scholar.google.co.in/citations?hl=en&user=Sn5vqikAAAAJ); 20-Chapters in Books and 50-Technical Reports. He has already guided one Ph.D. Student of AcSIR, 04 PhD students persuing, 09-M.E./M.Tech. Theses, and 12-Summer/Winter Trainees.

He is member(s) of the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), International Association of Hydrogeologists (IAH), International Association of Hydrological Sciences (IAHS), International Society for Development & Sustainability (ISDA-Japan, Association of Hydrologists of India (AHI), Indian Association of Hydrologists (IAH), Indian Society for Hydraulics (ISH) & Association of Global Groundwater Scientists (AGGS).

He is presently Associate Editor-AGGS Journal of Ground Water Research, and Member of National Editorial Advisory Board-Bulletin of Pure and Applied Sciences: Geology.   

He also visited USA, Singapore & Mauritius for presenting his research findings.

Ongoing Research Projects

1) Comprehending aquifer Heterogeneities and hydrodynamics for Sustainable groundwater Management (CHASM) under the 3rd Tranche of E3OW Theme [Project-FBR050302]

 

2) Delineating the boundary of shallow saline zones encountered in Poyya, Karalam, Adat, and Tholur Panchayats in Thrissur District, Kerala, and investigating their origin and possibility of any underlying freshwater aquifers through geophysical surveys.

 

Honors & Awards

Award/Recognition:

  • Fellow, Geological Society of India (GSI)-2022.
  • Fellow, Association of Global Groundwater Scientists (AGGS)-2022.
  • Fellow, Telangana Academy of Sciences (FTAS)-2020.
  • Associate Fellow, Telangana Academy of Sciences (FTAS)-2017.
  • National Geoscience Award-2017 (Ministry of Mines, GoI) in the recognition of significant contribution in the field of Groundwater Exploration.
  • Best Researcher Award, VDGOOD Professional Association, Chennai, India-2021.
  • Bharat Jyoti Award, India International Friendship Society (IIFS), New Delhi-2019.

 

Fellowship:

  • BOYSCAST Fellowship-2008 by DST (GoI), New Delhi for pursuing advanced study in water sources at BAEN, Texas A&M University, USA.
  • Research Associate (RA)-Emeritus Scientist Schemes, CSIR, New Delhi.
  • Senior Research Fellowship (SRF)-2002-05 by Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR), New Delhi for pursuing PhD from Osmania University, Hyderabad.
  • Project Fellow ‘B’-CSIR-NGRI, Hyderabad for carrying out project works under ongoing in-house & networking projects.
  • UGC Fellowship-2000 in Sc. Tech. in Geophysics, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi.

Publications

  1. Mondal, N.C.# and V. Ajaykumar (2022). Assessment of natural groundwater reserve of a morphodynamic system using an information-based model in a part of Ganga basin, Northern India. Scientific Reports, 12(1), 6191, 1-12, April 13, 2022, Impact Factor: 4.996, DOI: 1038/s41598-022-10254-4. 
  2. Mondal, N.C.#(2021). Geoelectrical signatures for detecting water-bearing zones in a micro-watershed of granitic terrain from Southern India. Journal of Applied Geophysics, vol.191C, article: 104361, Impact Factor: 2.121, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jappgeo.2021.104361.
  3. Rahman, A.#, Mondal, N.C.and Tiwari, K.K. (2021). Anthropogenic nitrate in groundwater and its health risks in the view of background concentration in a semi arid area of Rajasthan, India. Scientific Reports, 11, 9279, 1-13, Impact Factor: 4.996, doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-88600-1.
  4. Rahman, A., Mondal, N.C.#and Fauzia F. (2021). Arsenic enrichment and its natural background in groundwater at the proximity of active floodplains of Ganga River, Northern India. Chemosphere, 265, Impact Factor: 8.934, doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.129096 .
  5. Ajaykumar, V., Mondal, N.C.#and Ahmed, S. (2020). Identification of groundwater potential zones using RS, GIS and AHP techniques: a case study in a part of Deccan Volcanic Province (DVP), Maharashtra, India. Journal of the Indian Society of Remote Sensing, Vol. 48, No. 3, pp.497-511, Impact Factor: 1.894, doi:10.1007/s12524-019-01086-3.
  6. Mondal, N.C.#, Singh, V.P. and Ahmed, S. (2013). Delineating shallow saline groundwater zones from Southern India using geophysical indicators. Environmental Monitoring & Assessment, Vol. 185, No. 6, pp. 4869-4886, Impact Factor: 3.307, DOI: 10.1007/s10661-012-2909-1.
  7. Mondal, N.C.#and Singh, V.P. (2012). Chloride migration in groundwater for a tannery belt in Southern India. Environmental Monitoring & Assessment, Vol. 184, No.5, pp.2857-2879, Impact Factor: 3.307, DOI 10.1007/s10661-011-2156-x.
  8. Mondal, N.C.#, Singh, V.P., Singh, V.S. and Saxena, V.K. (2010). Determining the interaction between groundwater and saline water through groundwater major ions chemistry. Journal of Hydrology, 388(1-2), pp. 100-111, Impact Factor: 6.708, doi: 10.1016/j.jhydrol.2010.04.032.
  9. Mondal, N.C.#, Rao, A.V. and Singh, V.P. (2010). Efficacy of electrical resistivity and induced polarization methods for revealing fluoride contaminated groundwater in granite terrain. Environmental Monitoring & Assessment, 168(1-4), pp.103-114, Impact Factor: 3.307, DOI 10.1007/s10661-009-1094-3.
  10. Mondal, N.C.# and Singh, V.S. (2004). A new approach to delineate the groundwater recharge zone in hard rock terrain, Current Science, Vol. 87, No.5, pp. 658-662, Impact Factor: 1.102, Indian Acad Sciences , Bangalore, India.

Books

Book Chapters: [20] 

  1. Mondal, N.C.#, Surinaidu, L., Ahmed, S. and Tiwari, V.M. (2024). Assessing hazards of arsenic leakage in multi-layered aquifer system in a part of Middle Ganga Plains, Northern India. In Book: Arsenic Remediation of Food and Water: Technological Interventions and from Developing Countries (Eds.: B. Sen & N. Martinez), ISBN978-981-97-4763-4, Chapter: 4, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-97-4764-1_4, Gally Proof submitted on 01.07.2024.
  2. Kokkat, A.#, Mondal, N.C., Sajil Kumar P.J. and James, E.J. (2024). Variability of ground water quality in quaternary aquifers of the Cauvery and Vennar sub-basins within the Cauvery Delta, Southern India. In Book: Sustainability of Natural Resources Planning, Development, and Management (Editors: Kumar, R., Moharir, K.N., Singh, V.P., Pande, C.B., & Varade, A.M.), ISBN: 978-1-03-229531-2, Taylor & Francis CRC Press, UK (https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003303237 ), June 28, 2024, Chapter-12, pp.199-227, https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.1201/9781003303237-12 .
  3. Mondal, N.C.# (2023). A surficial electrical resistivity survey for estimating aquifer parameters for the regional characterization of groundwater flow in a weathered granitic aquifer in the Kodaganar river basin, Tamil Nadu, Southern India. In Book: Electrical resistivity and other geophysical methods for improved modelling of groundwater flow (Editors: Surinaidu, L. and Bacon, C.G.D.), Cambridge Scholars Publishing, U.K., ISBN: 1-5275-0138-8, June 20, 2023, 2023, Chapter 2, pp. 17-44.
  4. Rahman, A.#, Tiwari, K.K. and Mondal, N.C. (2022). Estimating natural backgrounds and threshold values of hydrochemical parameters in a desert area (India). In: Chenchouni H. et al. (eds) New Prospects in Environmental Geosciences and Hydrogeosciences. CAJG 2019. Advances in Science, Technology & Innovation (IEREK Interdisciplinary Series for Sustainable Development), ISBN: 978-3-030-72542-6, Springer, Cham., Springer Nature Switzerland AG., January 01, 2022, Vol. 1, Chapter-199, pp. 529-531, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-72543-3_119 .
  5. Mondal, N.C. (2019). Cumulative probability and water quality index (WQI) for finding drinking water suitability in a tannery belt (Southern India). In: Chaminé H., Barbieri M., Kisi O., Chen M., Merkel B. (eds) Advances in Sustainable and Environmental Hydrology, Hydrogeology, Hydrochemistry and Water Resources. Advances in Science, Technology & Innovation (IEREK Interdisciplinary Series for Sustainable Development). Springer, Cham, Springer Nature Switzerland AG., ISBN: 978-3-030-01572-5, March, 15, 2019, pp.389-391 (https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-01572-5_91).
  6. Mondal, N.C. (2018). Characterization of groundwater suitability for irrigation in a part of bowl rice production area of Krishna delta, India. In Book: Water Resources, Irrigation Practices and Sustainable Agriculture, Editor: Prof. Rabindra N. Tiwari, Publisher: Excellent Publishers, New Delhi, ISBN: 978-93-86238-49-8, March 2018, pp. 18-29.
  7. Mondal, N.C., Adike, S., Anand Raj, P., Singh, V.S., Ahmed, S. and Jayakumar, K.V. (2018). Assessing Aquifer Vulnerability Using GIS-Based DRASTIC Model Coupling with Hydrochemical Parameters in Hard Rock Area from Southern India. In: Singh V., Yadav S., Yadava R. (eds) Groundwater: Water Science and Technology Library, vol 76. Springer, Singapore, January 16, 2018, pp.67-82, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-5789-2_6 , ISBN:978-981-10-5788-5.
  8. Mondal, N.C., Singh, V.P., Singh, V.S. and Ahmed, S. (2017). Hydrochemical investigation of interaction between groundwater and seawater using major ions chemistry in east coast of India. In Book: Groundwater (Chapter-I), Editor: Prof. Rabindra N. Tiwari, Publisher: Excellent Publishers, New Delhi, ISBN: 978-93-86238-15-3, January 31, 2017, pp. 1-21.
  9. Kloppmann, W., Sandhu, C., Groeschke, M., Pandian, R.S. Picot-Colbeau, G., Fahimuddin, M., Ahmed, S., Alazard, M., Amerasinghe, P., Bhola, Punit., Boisson, A., Elango, L., Feistel, U., Fischer, S., Ghosh, N.C., Grischek, T., Grutzmacher, G., Hamann, E., Nair, I.S., Jampani, M., Mondal, N.C., Monninkhoff, B., Pettenati, M., Rao, S., Sarah, S., Schneider, M., Sklorz, S., Thiery, D. and Zabel, A. (2015). Modeling of natural water treatment systems in India: Learning from the Saph Pani case studies, Chapter 14 In Thomas Wintgens, Anders Nättorp, Elango Lakshmanan and Shyam R. Asolekar (Eds.) Natural Water Treatment Systems for Safe and Sustainable Water Supply in the Indian Context: Saph Pani, IWA Publishing Co, UK, pp.227-250, ISBN: 9781843393443.
  10. Mondal, N.C., Sankaran, S. and Singh, V.P. (2010). Estimating natural recharge in granitic terrain: an entropy approach. Advances in Geosciences (AdGeo) Eds: Gwo-Fong Lin et al. @World Scientific Publishing Company, Singapore, ISBN: 978-981-4355-32-2, 23, Hydrological Science, pp. 197-209.
  11. Saxena, V.K., Mondal, N.C. and Singh, V.S. (2008) Assessment of groundwater resources by using a simple hydrogeochemical tool in coastal aquifers of Krishna delta, India. Chapter 1: Groundwater for Sustainable Development: Problems, Perspectives and Challenges (Editors: Prosun Bhattacharya, A.L. Ramanathan, Arun B. Mukherjee,  Jochen Bundschuh, D. Chandrashekhram & A.K. Keshari), ISBN: 9780429207402, Taylor & Francis/Balkema, CRC Press, London, pp.3-11.
  12. Thangarajan, M., Singh, V.S., Sarma, M.R.K. and Mondal, N.C. (2008). Regional characterization of groundwater flow regime in a weathered hard rock aquifer system: a case study in Kodaganar river basin, Tamilnadu, India. Groundwater Resources Assessment, Recharge & Modeling (Editors: Ranghaswami, M.V., Palaniswami & Mayilswami), Macmillan Advanced Research Series, New Delhi, ISBN: 978-0230-63492-3, pp.275-290.
  13. Sukhija, B.S., Reddy, D.V., Nagabhushanam, P., Mondal, N.C., Sujata, D., Nagaiah, E. and Gupta, H.K. (2007). Radon precursor studies in Koyna-Warna seismic region. In: Geochemical precursors for earthquakes, Eds: Prasanta Sen and Nisith K. Das, MacMillan Advanced Research Series, pp. 52-62.
  14. Mondal, N.C. and Singh, V.S. (2006). Mass transport modeling in the upper Kodaganar river basin, Tamilnadu, India. Advances in Geosciences, Volume 4: Hydrological Sciences (Editors: Wing-Huen Ip & Namsik Park), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., Singapore, ISBN: 9789812569820,107-116.
  15. Saxena, V.K., Mondal, N.C. and Singh, V.S. (2006). Delineation of water bearing fractures in bore wells by EC logs. Advances in Geosciences, Volume 4: Hydrological Sciences (Editors: Wing-Huen Ip & Namsik Park), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., Singapore, ISBN: 9789812569820, 183-190.
  16. Ramesh Chand, Mondal, N.C., Singh, V.S. and Prasanti, A. (2006). Groundwater recharges evaluation in a river basin, Andhra Pradesh, India. Advances in Geosciences, Volume 4: Hydrological Sciences (Editors: Wing-Huen Ip & Namsik Park), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., Singapore, ISBN: 9789812569820, Singapore, pp.229-234.
  17. Saxena, V.K., Mondal, N.C. and Singh, V.S. (2006). Geochemistry of groundwater and their relationship with geological formations. Advances in Geosciences, Volume 4: Hydrological Sciences (Editors: Wing-Huen Ip & Namsik Park), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., Singapore, ISBN: 9789812569820, 271-276.
  18. Mondal, N.C., (2005). Introduction to Modflow, Recent Advances in Groundwater: Exploration, Management & Utilization, UGC sponsored National Workshop January 20-25, 2005, Dept. of Geology, NES Science College, Nanded, (Ed. P.R. Wesanekar), NES Science College, pp. 62-75.
  19. Mondal, C., (2005). Groundwater quality modeling of upper Kodaganar river basin, Tamilnadu, India, Recent Advances in Groundwater: Exploration, Management & Utilization, UGC sponsored National Workshop January 20-25, 2005, Dept. of Geology, NES Science College, Nanded, (Ed. P.R. Wesanekar), NES Science College, pp. 211-225.
  20. Saxena, V.K., Singh, V.S. and Mondal, N.C., (2004). Delineation of fresh groundwater resources in Potharlanka Island: A hydrochemical study, In: Role of Mathematical Modeling in groundwater Resources Management, DST Training Course, December 13-23, 2004 (Ed. S.N. Rai), Sri Vinayaka Enterprises, Hyderabad, pp.434-445.

Research Scholars

Awarded PhD

01

Pursuing PhD

04

Educational Qualification

M.Sc. Tech. (Geophysics) & Ph.D. in Geophysics

Proffessional Experience

Research Field (s)

Worked

Groundwater Potential Zones Identification

Developed an efficient technique integrating geological, geophysical, hydrogeological, and remote sensing data to map areas with high groundwater extraction potential, aiding sustainable management in water-scarce regions.

 

Saline Water Mixing

Introduced the Saline Water Mixing Index (SWMI) to evaluate saline water mixing in aquifers, crucial for coastal regions facing seawater intrusion, enabling effective salinity monitoring and water quality protection.

 

Natural Backgrounds of Groundwater Pollution

Created a technique to estimate natural backgrounds of groundwater pollution, distinguishing natural from anthropogenic sources, improving groundwater quality assessment and management.

 

Entropy-Based Model for Groundwater Reserves

Developed an entropy-based model to assess groundwater reserves, enhancing the accuracy of groundwater assessments and supporting sustainable management by addressing system uncertainties.

 

Hydrogeological Vulnerability Assessment

Developed an interaction-based model to assess hydrogeological vulnerability, identifying high-risk areas and aiding in the implementation of measures to protect groundwater resources.

 

Proffessional Affiliations

Membership in Professional Association:

  • Member (143569)-International Association of Hydrogeologists (INC-IAH) in Year 2023.
  • Life Member (626)-Indian Society of Applied Geochemists (ISAG), Hyderabad from year 2023 onwards.
  • Associate ISDS Society Member (M170155)-International Society for Development & Sustainability (ISDS)-Japan from 2021 onwards.
  • Life Member (L-1978)-Geological Society of India (GSI) from 2022 onwards.
  • Member-International Association for Water, Environment, Energy & Society (IAWEES), Bhopal in year 2020.
  • Active Member-VDGOOD Professional Association, Chennai in year 2020.
  • Life Member (LM-1492)-The Indian Society for Hydraulics (ISH), Pune, Maharashtra from 2020 onwards.
  • Life Member (LM-BHUAA-770)-Banaras Hindu University Alumni Association (BHUAA), Hyderabad, Telangana from 2019 onwards.
  • Life Member (LM-1496)-Association of Exploration Geophysicists (AEG), Hyderabad, India from October, 2017
  • Member (133981)- International Association of Hydrogeologists (IAH) up to 2017.
  • Member (Code-14101301)-European Water Resources Association (EWRA) from March, 2015 onwards.
  • Life Member (LMAGGS-083)-Association of Global Groundwater Scientists (AGGS), Coimbatore, India from August 2014 onwards.
  • Member (12246)-International Association of Hydrological Sciences (IAHS).
  • Member-Asia Oceania Geo-Sciences (AOGS)-Year- 2004 & 2005.
  • Life Member (AHI-LM-225-515)-Association of Hydrologists of India (AHI), Department of Geophysics, Andhra University, Visakhapatnam, India year 2004 onwards.
  • Life Member (LM-157)-Indian Association of Hydrologists (IAH), National Institute of Hydrology, Roorkee Year 2003 onwards.
  • Senior Member, Youth Hostel Association of India (YHAI), Delhi Year 2002 onwards.

Services:

  • Joint Secretary-Association of Global Groundwater Scientists (AGGS) from year 2019 onwards.
  • Executive Member-Association of Hydrologists of India (AHI), Andhra University, Vishakhapatnam from January 2019 onwards.
  • Guest Faculty-Engineering Staff College of India (ESCI), Gachi Bowli, Hyderabad from June 2016 onwards.
  • Associate Professor-Academy of Science & Innovation Research (AcSIR) in the Faculty of Physical Sciences from July 2021 onwards.
  • Assistant Professor-Academy of Science & Innovation Research (AcSIR) in the Faculty of Physical Sciences from July2017 to July 2021.
  • Member- Academy Committee of AcSIR (CSIR-NGRI) from January, 2022 onwards.
  • Associate Editor-AGGS Journal of Ground Water Research from June 2013 onwards.
  • Research Guide-Department of Geology, Osmania University, Hyderabad from April 2018 onwards.
  • Research Guide-Department of Geophysics, Andhra University, Visakhapatnam from October, 2016 onwards.
  • Research Guide-Department of Geophysics, Osmania University, Hyderabad from September, 2014 onwards.
  • Interim-Treasurer-Indian National Committee- International Association of Hydrogeologists (INC-IAH) from July, 2012-May, 2013.
  • Member-National Editorial Advisory Board-Bulletin of Pure and Applied Sciences, Section F-Geology, UGC Approval Journal, BPAS Publications, New Delhi from April, 2018 onwards.
  • Editorial Board Member-Journal of Advances in Geoscience, Universe Scientific Publishing Pte. Ltd., Singapore from year 2018 onwards.
  • Associate Editor-Open Access Journal of Archaeology and Anthropology (OAJAA), Iris Publishers, San Francisco, USA from August, 2018 onwards.
  • Member- Editorial Board-Journal of Earth Sciences from June, 2017 onwards
  • Review Editor-Groundwater Resources & Management, Frontiers in Environmental Science from October 2016
  • Advisory Board Member (Member No. 063BEC8D46)-BIOINFO Environmental & Pollution from Year 2013-2016.
  • External Examiner- Thesis Evaluation, of Geology, Yuvaraja’s College, University of Mysore, India.
  • Member-Board of Examiners-Faculty of Science (Geology Department), Periyar University, Periyar Palkalai Nagar, Salem, Tamil Nadu.
  • External Referee-Faculty of Science (Geology Department), North Maharashtra University, Jalgaon, India.