Barnali B. Mitra Dixon

Areas of Expertise

I have extensive experience in the application and teaching of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing, Global Positioning Systems (GPS), geostatistics, fuzzy logic and neural networks for environmental modeling. Areas of research interests include advancement of environmental modeling through enhancement of remotely sensed data (image processing) and GIS using fuzzy logic, neural networks and neuro-fuzzy techniques. Applied environmental models include soil erosion, surface and ground water quality, ground-water vulnerability, watershed risk assessment and management (soils, landuse and water quality relationship), contaminant transport processes, landuse and ground-water recharge, rainfall-runoff simulation, and land use planning (urbanization, soils and water quality relationship).

Mailing Address

Department of Geography

College of Arts and Sciences                                                          Phone: (727) 553-1066

210 Davis Hall                                                                  E-mail: bdixon@stpt.usf.edu

University of South Florida, St. Petersburg

St. Petersburg, FL 33701

Education

Ph.D. in Environmental Dynamics an interdisciplinary program between Geography and Geology (GIS, remote sensing, fuzzy logic, and neural networks in ground water contamination modeling), University of Arkansas, Fayetteville (2001)

M.A. Geography (GIS, remote sensing and fuzzy logic in soil erosion modeling), University of Arkansas, Fayetteville (1995)

M.A. Geography (remote sensing and terrain evaluation in environmental geomorphology), Visva Bharati University, India (1991)

B.A.  Geography (Honors), Visva Bharati University, India (1989)

Professional Experience

      1. Assistant Professor, Department of Geography, University of South Florida St. Petersburg, August 2001- present; Affiliated faculty, Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of South Florida. 

Responsibility:

     Teaching, courses include: (i) Introduction to Physical Geography (ii) Introduction to GIS, (iii) Remote Sensing of the Environment, (iv) Advanced Remote Sensing, and (v) Geographic Methods and Techniques.

     Current Research Projects:

(i)                 Ground water vulnerability delineation using Neural Networks, fuzzy logic and Neuro-fuzzy techniques

(ii)                Examine the relationship between landuse change and water quality and quantity of the streams.

(iii)              Generation of vegetation and soil correlation map for Florida from Landsat TM 2000 – 2001.

(iv)              Effects of scale and resolution in predicting TMDLs using EPA’s BASINS.

(v)               Preschoolers’ vocabulary acquisition and understanding of scientific concepts

 

        Directing graduate thesis

(i)                 A methodology to estimation soil moisture content from WSR-88D. Ms. Amee Bailey, EPS and Geography. (Thesis funded by USDA)

(ii)                Use of remote sensing techniques to evaluate impacts of hurricane on coastlines of   Florida. Mr. Russell Peterson, Geography. (Thesis funded by USGS)

 

        Dissertation and Thesis Committee Member

(i)                 Title of the dissertation : Status of Gopher tortoise population in central Florida. Ms. Cherie Keller, Dept. of Biology, USF.

(ii)                Title of the thesis : Storage and transport of salt laden irrigation water in the surficial aquifer system.  Mr. Greg Mayfield, Dept. of Geology. (Thesis funded by SWFMOD).

 

 

 2. Research Specialist, Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences (CSES), University of Arkansas, May 1995 to June 2001;

            Responsibility: Development of models that are loosely coupled with GIS

(i)                  Using fuzzy logic and neural networks to predict ground water vulnerability to nitrate contamination in northwest Arkansas,

(ii)               Identification of ground water vulnerability to pesticides using fuzzy logic in the Mississippi Delta region of Arkansas,

(iii)             Determination of spatial variability of contamination of ground water in the Mississippi Delta region of Arkansas,

(iv)             Development of an integrated approach to assist BMPs,

(v)               Prediction of soil productivity using neural networks and fuzzy logic,

(vi)             Determine landuse change on water quality  using TM data for the Buffalo River Watershed, AR.

(vii)           Managing the development of Order II digital soils database and compiling secondary attributes for soils

(viii)         Simulation modeling of annual sediment loading in War Eagle Creek, AR

(ix)             Taught week-long short courses on GIS

 

Grant activities

Past: Prediction of Ground Water Vulnerability to Animal Wastes/Fertilizers in Karst Topography using Fuzzy Logic. USGS- AWRC: $25,000 [2000 – 2001].

Current (2001): Ground Water Vulnerability Delineation using Neural Networks, Fuzzy Logic, and Neuro-Fuzzy techniques. USDA-CSREES: $305,000 [2001 – 2004].

Current (2002): Preschoolers’ vocabulary acquisition and understanding of scientific concepts from participation in repeated read aloud events involving information picture books: a community partners project ($17, 382) [2002 – 2003]

Pending (2002): Development of a Methodology to Estimate Soil Moisture Content from Radar. USF-Internal ($10,000) [2003]

In preparation (2002): Watershed Risk Assessment: An Integrated Approach: $203,800 [2003 – 2006]

     

 

Journal Publications

 

1.      Mitra, B., H. D. Scott, J.C. Dixon and J.M. McKimmey. 1998. Application of fuzzy logic to the prediction of soils erosion in a large watershed. Geoderma. 86:183 - 209.

2.      Mitra, B., J. M. McKimmey and H. D. Scott. 1997. Development and use of digital databases in agricultural research. Trends in Agronomy, 1:1-17.

3.      Dixon, B., H. D. Scott, J. C. Dixon and K. F. Steel. 2001. Prediction of aquifer vulnerability to pesticides using fuzzy logic based models at the regional scale. [In press : Physical Geography].

4.      Dixon, B., H. D.Scott, J.C. Dixon and J. V. Brahana. 2001. Applicability of Neuro-fuzzy techniques in predicting ground water vulnerability: A sensitivity analyses [In review: Ground Water].

5.      Dixon, B., H. D. Scott, J. V. Brahana, and J.C. Dixon. 2002. Scale issues involved in modeling ground water vulnerability with Neuro-fuzzy techniques [In preparation: to be submitted to Ground Water].

6.      Dixon, B., J. V. Skinner and H. D. Scott. 2002. Use of fuzzy logic to predict soil productivity and crop yield. [In preparation: to be submitted to Soil Science ]

7.      Dixon B., J. V. Skinner and H. D. Scott. 2002. Use of neural networks to predict soil productivity and crop yield. [In preparation: to be submitted to Soil Science] .

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Peer reviewed Conference Proceeding

1.         Dixon, B. 2002. Can ground water sampling strategy be improved by incorporating fuzzy logic in a GIS? Peer reviewed Conference Proceeding. 25th Annual Applied Geography Conference. Binghamton, NY, October.

2.      Dixon, B. 2002. Application of Neuro-Fuzzy techniques to predict ground water vulnerability. Peer reviewed Conference Proceeding. Third International Conference on computer Simulation in Risk Analysis and Hazard Mitigation, Sintra, Portugal, June.

 

   

 

 

Technical Reports and Other publications

3.      Dixon, B. 2001. Application of Neuro-fuzzy techniques to predict ground water  vulnerability in Northwest Arkansas. Ph.D. Dissertation. University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas.

4.      Dixon, B and H. D. Scott. 2001. Application of fuzzy logic to predict ground water vulnerability in Northwest Arkansas. AWRC-USGS Completion Report, MSC # 240

5.      Dixon, B., T. H. Udouj, H. D. Scott, R. L. Johnson and J.M. McKimmey. 2001. Soils of  Randolph County, Arkansas. Special report series. Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station. Pub. # 199. University of Arkansas, Fayetteville.

6.      Dixon, B., T. H. Udouj, H. D. Scott, and J.M. McKimmey. 2001. Soils of Clay County, Arkansas. Special report series. Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station. Pub # 202. University of Arkansas, Fayetteville.

7.      Dixon, B., T. H. Udouj, H. D. Scott, and J.M. McKimmey. 2001. Soils of  Lawrence County, Arkansas. Special report series. Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station. University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. [In review].

8.       Dixon, B. and H. D. Scott. 1998. Use of fuzzy logic with modified DRASTIC parameters to predict ground water contamination.  In (H. D. Scott, ed.) Vulnerability and use of ground and surface waters in the southern Mississippi valley region.  AWRC Completion Report No. 269, 16 – 51.

9.      Scott, H.D., B. Dixon, J.M. McKimmey, T. H. Udouj and R. L. Johnson. 1998. Soil of Desha County, Arkansas. Special report series. Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station. Pub. # 187. University of Arkansas, Fayetteville.

10.  Mitra, B. 1995. Application of fuzzy logic to identify soil erosion, M.A. Thesis, University of Arkansas. Fayetteville. Arkansas.

11.  Mitra, B. 1991. Suri and Its Environs: A case study in environmental geomorphology, M.A.Thesis, Visva Bharati University. Santiniketan, West Bengal, India.

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Presentations at Professional Meetings

 

1.      Dixon, B and H. D. Scott. 2002. Determining appropriate size of the training data sets for Neuro-fuzzy models to predict ground water vulnerability in Northwest Arkansas. Presentation. Southern Branch, American Society of Soil and Water, Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL, February

2.      Dixon, B. 2002. Application of Neuro-Fuzzy techniques to predict ground water vulnerability. Presentation. Third International Conference on computer Simulation in Risk Analysis and Hazard Mitigation, Sintra, Portugal, June.

3.      Dixon, B. 2002. Can ground water sampling strategy be improved by incorporating fuzzy logic in a GIS. 25th Annual Applied Geography Conference. Binghamton, NY, October.

4.      Dixon, B., H. D. Scott, J. V. Brahana, A. Mauromoustakos, and J. C. Dixon. 2001. Delineation of ground water vulnerability to agricultural contaminants using Neuro-fuzzy techniques. Presentation. Annual Meeting of Soil Science Society of America, Charlotte, NC, October.

5.      Dixon, B., T. H. Udouj, and H. D. Scott. 2000. Examination of Spatial variability of parameters affecting contamination of ground water in Arkansas Delta. Presentation. Southern Regional Geological Society of America Meeting . Fayetteville, AR. April.

6.      Dixon, B., T. H. Udouj, H. D. Scott, A. Mauromoustakos, T. Kresse and F. Limp. 1999.

Analyses of the Spatial Variability of Bentazon Contamination of Wells in the Arkansas Delta Presentation. Arkansas GIS Users Forum. Eureka Springs, AR. September.

7.      Dixon, B., H. D. Scott, T. Kresse, K. F. Steele, and W.F. Limp. 1999. Comparison of the Spatial Variability of Pesticide Contamination of Wells in the Arkansas Delta. Presentation. Annual Meeting Program of Soil Science Society of America. Salt Lake City, Utah October-Nov.

8.      Dixon, B, H. D. Scott, H. S. Lin, K. F. Steel and J. C. Dixon. 1998. Comparison of modified DRASTIC and fuzzy-logic predictive models in ground water contamination. Presentation. Annual Meeting Program of Soil Science Society of America , Baltimore. October.

9.      Udouj, T.H., B. Dixon, and H. D. Scott. 1998. Application of GIS and RS techniques to the analysis of Spatial and Temporal Changes in the Buffalo River Watershed. Presentation. American Society of Soil and Water, Southern Regional  Meeting, Little Rock, AR. February.

10.  J. V. Skinner Jr., B. Mitra and H. D. Scott. 1997. Use of Fuzzy Logic to Predict Soil Productivity and Crop Yield. Presentation. Annual Meeting Program of Soil Science Society of America. Anahiem CA. October. 

11.  Mitra, B. and T. H. Udouj. 1997. Applications of GIS in natural resource management: primary and secondary attributes of soils, Lonoke and Prairie Counties. Presentation. Arkansas GIS Users Forum. Hot Springs, AR. September.

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Courses Taught

§         GEO 4151C             Geographic Information Systems (Fall)

§         GEO 4131C             Remote Sensing of the Environment (Fall)

§         GEO 4114C             Geographic Methods and Techniques (Spring)

§         GEO 5134                Advanced Remote Sensing (Spring)

§         GEO 3013             Introduction to Physical Geography (Spring)

 

 

 

 

Special Courses/Certificates

Vadose Zone Hydrology

Watershed Management – Modeling and GIS Aspects

Water Quality of Surface and Ground Water and Best Management Practices

Awards and Honors

1.   International Travel Awards (2002) to attend Third International Conference on computer Simulation in Risk Analysis and Hazard Mitigation, Sintra, Portugal, June.