Archives Issues
Volume 7, Issue No 2, Jun 2008
Groundwater quality and its suitability for drinking after Tsunami in coastal belt of Kanyakumari to Colachel, Tamil Nadu, India
Hydrochemistry of groundwater in coastal area of Kanyakumari to Colachel after Tsunami was used to assess the quality of groundwater for determining its suitability for drinking purposes. Physical and chemical parameters of groundwater such as electrical conductivity, pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl-, HCO3-, CO32-, SO42-, NO3-, F-, B- and SiO2 were determined. Concentrations of the chemical constituents in groundwater vary spatially and temporally. Interpretation of analytical data shows that mixed Ca-Mg-Cl, Ca-Cl and Na-Cl are the dominant hydrochemical facies in the study area. Alkali earths (Ca2+, Mg2+) and strong acids (Cl-, SO42-) are slightly dominating over alkalis (Na+, K+) and weak acids (HCO3-, CO32-). The abundance of the major ions is as follows: Na+ > Ca2+ > Mg2+ > K+ = Cl- > HCO3- > SO42- > NO3- > CO32-. Groundwater in the area is generally very good, pleasant, fresh to brackish, average to very low saline and low alkaline in nature and fit for drinking purposes. Permissible average total hardness and TDS in all places of the study area identify the suitability of groundwater for drinking. Based on the TDS value, the groundwater in these areas is of bicarbonate/calcium chloride/sodium chloride type. Fluoride and boron are within the permissible limits for human consumption and crops as per the international standards. Nitrate concentration is slightly high in some areas. In the study area less groundwater extraction keeps the water table high. The elevated topography, more rainfall and limited groundwater extraction, keeps the Kanyakumari coastal belt free from seawater intrusion. The surface water resources have been fully utilized. The surface flow is more during monsoon periods. Quality of water is generally good throughout the district except some places in the study areas like Keelamanagudi, Thengampudur and Colachel and some pockets along the coastal belt. Comparing the results of water parameters before and after Tsunami there is not much change in the quality of water for drinking.
S. Bhagavathi Perumal and P. Thamarai
Environmental degradation of Mallathalli Lake in Bangalore district, India - A case study
An attempt was made to carry out baseline in-situ analysis of Malathalli lake. The lake falls within the Vrishabhavathi lake valley and Byramangala lake series. The catchment area of the lake is about 625ha. It is located on the western fringe of Bangalore city. Assessment of physico-chemical parameters was carried out mainly for pH, dissolved oxygen, BOD, suspended solids, total dissolved solids, alkalinity, hardness, nitrates, phosphates, sulphates, sodium, potassium, fluorides and chlorides. Malathalli is a contaminated lake with indicators of organic pollution showing highly variable sources of inputs. Dissolved oxygen is within lower limits at 3.25mg/L supporting the field observation on the dwindling fish catch in the lake. Moreover, the fish diversity is also disappearing leaving only those exotic species capable of tolerating lower DO levels. The average BOD is 6.0 mg/L. The pH is also above permissible limit at 8.9 showing alkaline nature of the lake. The total dissolved solids (TDS) were above permissible levels at 508 mg/L. For total hardness, the average was at 215.5 mg/L. Average calcium hardness was 86.6 mg/L as CaCO3. Inorganic ions such as sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), calcium (Ca2+) and magnesium (Mg2+) have varied concentrations during the months. The maximum sodium (Na+) concentration was in the month of June with 400 mg/L while the lowest was in January at 95.8 mg/L. Magnesium hardness was above permissible limit at 128.8 mg/L as CaCO3. This shows a trend in ionic imbalances through the months in the lake caused by artificial contamination. This can also be correlated with excessive presence of Mg+ ions at an average 31.4 mg/L. Chlorides were also above permissible level at 262 mg/L. Occurrence of hydroxide ions in natural water is very rare, but in January, hydroxide alkalinity of 3.3 mg/L as CaCO3 was found. Sulphates (SO42-) were with overall average range of 40.3 mg/L. For phosphates (PO43-), the average was at 4.4 mg/L. Nitrates also were within tolerable limits of ICMR and BIS. The average nitrates concentration was at 10.9 mg/L as nitrates. However, the chloride-bicarbonate ratio of 2.2 confirms the seriousness of the status of pollution in the lake.
C. Bindiya, Ashok D. Hanjagi, N. Nandini and Aboud S. Jumbe
Aluminium extraction by means of dihydroximate of iminodiacetic acid derivative of chitosan
Aluminium extraction was studied by means of ion selective chelating ion exchange resin synthesized form cross linked chitosan functionalized with iminodiaceticacid dihydroximate. The separation is carried out by column chromatography. IR spectra, nitrogen content (calculated by Kjeldahl method) and pH titration (using batch method) were made for resin characterization. Resin characteristics such as moisture content, bulk density, specific bulk volume and ion exchange capacity were also determined by standard methods. Metal uptake analysis was done by batch method using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The distribution coefficient values at different pH levels were determined from batch method. Estimation of Al (III) was done by U.V. Spectrophotometer at 535nm. Aluminium showed maximum Dg value at pH 2.0.
P. N. Mathur, S. Loonker, A. Sharma and N. Rehdu
Assessing heavy metal hyper-accumulation and mobility in selected vegetable crops: A case study of organic farm, Gujarat, India
The heavy metals play an important role in the metabolic pathways during the growth and development of plants, when available in required concentration. The heavy metal concentration of cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) was analysed using Inductive Coupled Plasma Analyser (ICPA) in 20 vegetable crop plants and their parts along with the soil, collected from Shivam organic farm, Valasan, Anand, Gujarat, India. The vegetables selected for the present investigation were Abelmoschus esculentus, Allium sativa, A. cepa, Anethum graveolens, Brassica oleracea, B. oleracea, Capsicum annum, Coccinia indica, Coriandrum sativum, Cucumis sativus, Cyamopsis psoralioides, Lagenaria vulgaris, Luffa acutangula, Lycopersicon esculentum, Mentha piperata, Momordica charantia, Raphanus sativus, Solanum melongena, Spinacia oleracea and Trigonella foenum-graceum. The concentration of heavy metals of vegetable crop plants, grown in organic farm, falls within the prescribed limit except Fe. The Accumulation Factor (AF) and Mobility Index (MI) were calculated for the assessment of accumulation and mobility of heavy metals from soil to various plant parts, i.e., roots, stems and leaves through different levels: Level 1 (soil-root), Level 2 (roots-stem) and Level 3 (stem-leaf) in the plants. The accumulation factor (AF) for Cd, Co and Pb metals was found greater in plant parts as compared to available levels in soil. On the other hand, the concentration of Cu, Fe, Ni and Zn was lower in plant parts than the soil. The mobility index (MI) of heavy metal in plant parts was found to be greater compared to available metal concentration in soil. The results showed concentration dependent variables of heavy metal levels among vegetable crop plants. The lower and higher concentration gradient along with their mobility gradient was also determined. A perusal of data reflects that accumulation gradient of each plant component vary according to nature, properties and podsol climate of a particular plant. The data on accumulation factor and mobility index of the heavy metals from soil to leaves suggest that all the metals are highly mobile in the soil.
J.I. Nirmal Kumar, Hiren Soni, Rita N. Kumar and Ira Bhatt
A survey of school students’ knowledge and attitude about the global warming
In a world where Man is aggressively competing with fellow Man for political and economic superiority, his concern for the well being of the earth upon which he lives, and the earth upon which he depends for his shelter and sustenance is being overlooked. This study is an attempt to contribute to the growing body of knowledge about senior secondary students’ conceptions and views concerning global warming. The results of the present study show significant differences in understanding level of boys and girls on various concepts of global warming. There is a degree of uncertainty in students’ minds as to what exactly causes global warming and what they could and should do to check it, though students generally seemed well informed about carbon dioxide and CFCs as greenhouse gases, global warming makes the earth hotter and causes melting of polar ice and it can be reduced by planting more trees.
Animesh K. Mohapatra and Reena Mohapatra
Start-up performance of anaerobic filter (AF) reactor treating poultry slaughter house wastewater
A study was performed on anaerobic filter reactor to identify the startup time and optimum HRT required for treatment of poultry slaughter house wastewater. Initially, the reactor was loaded at an OLR of 0.77 gCOD/L/day and HRT of 36 h. Loading rates were increased by reducing HRT to 24, 16, 12, 10 and 8 h, which corresponds to the OLR of 1.15, 1.74, 2.27, 2.88, 3.43 gCOD/L/day. At an optimum HRT of 12 h, AF reactor shows TCOD and SCOD removal efficiencies of 69.5% and 77% respectively. Lower COD removal efficiency of 66% was observed when the HRT was reduced beyond 12 h. The SS removal efficiency was 76 %. Finally the reactor took 144 days for complete start-up. The granule size of 1-2 mm and settling velocities of granules of 0.5 to 0.83 m/min were observed in the reactor.
R. Rajakumar and T. Meenambal
Influence of some metals on growth of two anoxygenic phototrophic bacteria
The presence of photosynthetic bacteria along with the heterotrophic bacteria has been reported in various aquatic environments like Indian tropical waters, salt marshes, industrial effluents, seawater, sewage water and hot water springs. Two anoxygenic phototrophic bacteria Rb. capsulatus and Rps. acidophila were isolated from leather industrial effluents and influence of some heavy metals on the growth of these two bacteria was studied. Iron and cadmium requirement for the growth of Rb. capsulatus and Rps. acidophila was very low, while selenium and cerium failed to influence the growth of both the bacteria under investigation. Rps. acidophila was highly sensitive to and was totally inhibited by mercuric chloride at a very low concentration, whereas Rb. capsulatus exhibited considerable resistance. Biological significance of above observations in the light of existing literature is discussed.
Ramchander Merugu, M.S.K. Prasad, S. Girisham and S.M. Reddy
Survey of avifauna of Borivali mangroves along the coast of Mumbai
The word mangroves is derived from the Portuguese word ‘mangue’ or marsh and the English word ‘grove’. The origin of the word dates back to 1613. Mangroves are major forests found throughout the world along coastline from 25°N and 25°S. Mangroves have diverse ecology as well as economic functions. Mangroves provide breeding and nursery grounds for shrimp, crabs, marine fish, etc. Mangroves are among the world’s most productive ecosystems that protect the coastal fisheries and livelihood. They reduce coastal erosion, buffer salinity, intrusion, supply and regenerate nutrients, and retard run-off. As transition habitat between land and sea, mangroves are well adapted to deal with natural stresses like temperature, salinity, lack of oxygen, wave action, wind currents, etc. The past few decades’ regions have increased many folds and pose a threat to mangrove forest cover which is about 4460 km2 in India. In Mumbai remnants of previously luxuriant mangroves are seen at Vasai, Thane, Bandra and Vashi creek, Versova-Monari beach strip and Gorai regions in Borivali. From March 2004 to July 2005 a survey of avifauna was undertaken to study its richness in Borivali mangroves along the coast of Mumbai. A total of 66 species of birds belonging to twenty four families of 15 Orders were recorded. Shore birds, starlings and warblers predominated the population. Globally threatened lesser flamingo was also sighted. Erratic rainfall, tidal water avability, fruiting seasonality, chemical pollutants, anthropogenic activities like wood cutting, garbage dumping and landfilling, etc. affect the bird population.
Rahul R. Chauhan, H. U. Shingadia and Veena Sakthivel
Hydrochemical evaluation of the groundwater quality in Chennai city
The paper deals with physico-chemical analysis of groundwater of Chennai city. The analysis of groundwater was carried out to examine its suitability for drinking purposes. The data generated were compared with reference to BIS and WHO standards. It was found that some of the physico-chemical parameters were within the maximum permissible limits of drinking water standards. The study also reveals that the groundwater of the area is very hard, which was determined by carbonate and bicarbonates ions with calcium and magnesium.
S. Damodhar Kumar, A. Loganayagi and S. Murugesan
Analysis and impact of fluoride and iodide from major drinking water reservoirs in Nanded district
Owing to the universal presence of fluoride in earth’s crust, all waters contain fluoride in varying concentrations. Fluorine is an element of high biological activity and has a tendency to accumulate in organisms, making adverse effects possible even in very low levels of exposure. Iodine is an essential element for normal growth and development in animals and man. The effects of iodine deficiency on growth and development are seen at all stages of development and particularly in the fetus, the neonate and the infant. Water quality of two major drinking water reservoirs in Nanded district has been studied with special reference to the presence of fluoride and iodide along with other chemical parameters for the year January 2004 to December 2004. Study revealed that the fluoride and iodide content in the water was lower than minimum essential limit prescribed by various health organizations. The supply of iodine from food is recommended. The values of other parameters, i.e., pH and temperature were also found within the prescribed permissible limits for drinking water.
R. G. Pawale, P. N. Wavde and R. P. Mali
Study of the groundwater quality contaminated with sugar mill effluent
A study was made in the industrial areas of Balrampur where the effluents from a sugar mill were polluting groundwaters. Physico-chemical and microbial analysis was conducted in groundwater samples. It was indicated that EC, TDS, total hardness, BOD, COD, calcium, potassium, bicarbonate, chloride and nitrate levels were on the higher side of permissible limit of WHO standards. Balrampur is regarded as a major industrial city knowing well for its sugar mill that is the largest sugar mill of Asia by the production point of view. Groundwater resources were found polluted by different inorganic and organic pollutants, which were discharged from sugar mill. Polluted groundwater may result in various health problems.
R. N. Upadhyay, Vimal C. Pandey, D. D. Tewari, S. C. Verma and Kaveash Pandey
Seasonal variations of phytoplankton in the freshwater tank of Talsande, Maharashtra
Studies on monthly variations of phytoplankton in a freshwater tank of Talsande, Maharashtra were carried out from May 1999 to April 2001. The phytoplankton in tank was represented by Chlorophyceae, Cyanophyceae, Bacillariophyceae, Euglenophyceae and Dinophyceae. The values of percentage composition of each group of phytoplankton indicated that Cyanophyceae (35.77%) formed largest group followed by Bacillariophyceae (34%), Chlorophyceae (27.4%) and Euglenophyceae (2.24%). Maximum density of phytoplankton was reported during summer, and minimum during monsoon.
Milind S. Hujare
Ambient air interactions between particulate matter and gases of combustion
The study was primarily initiated to explore possibility of chemical transformation of NOx to nitrates and get adsorbed onto the fine particle surfaces based on secondary data from various sources. This required manipulations of secondary data to find correlations between PM, PM-nitrates and NOx. Data were downloaded from EPA’s website (Environmental Protection Agency, USA; www.epa.gov), which include 24 hours PM10, PM2.5, PM1 and NOx concentrations. The corresponding PM-nitrate concentrations were obtained by manipulations made on various graphs of ambient particulate composition. Subsequently, coefficients of correlation among various parameters were calculated. It was observed that stronger correlations are obtained between PM-nitrates and NOx as size of particle is decreased. A similar trend was observed during an air quality monitoring exercise in Delhi. The ambient interactions between PM and NOx further imply that ambient NOx values obtained during air pollution monitoring are superficial and, thus, there is a need to revise the existing PM-NOx standards. From the health point of view, the synergistic interactions between PM and NOx have more deleterious effect on human health than NOx alone.
Siddharth K. Sharma and A. B. Gupta
Seasonal variations in drinking water quality of some borewell waters in urban area of Kolhapur city
Present study has been made to investigate seasonal variations of water quality parameters in drinking water from some borewells in Kolhapur city. The samples were collected during the year 2005-2006 in summer, rainy and winter seasons. The water samples were analysed for various parameters such as pH, E.C., dissolved oxygen, alkalinity, chloride, total dissolved solids (TDS), total hardness, calcium, magnesium and sulphate etc. Certain parameters were higher than the permissible limit recommended by World Health Organisation (WHO) and BIS. The Study revealed significant changes in water quality during different seasons of in a year.
H. V. Vyas and V. A. Sawant
Prevention of air pollution by using silica fume as cementitious material
In recent years significant attention has been given to the use of pozzolan silica fume as a concrete property-enhancing material, as a partial replacement for portland cement, or both. The initial interest in the use of silica fume was mainly caused by the strict enforcement of air pollution control measures in various countries to stop release of the material into the atmosphere. More recently, the availability of high range water-reducing admixtures (HRWRA) has opened up new possibilities for the use of silica fume as part of the cementing material in concrete to produce very high strength or very high levels of durability or both. In this study effective use of silica fume as cementitious material in making high performance concrete has been studied as a result of which the air pollution due to silica fume can be minimized. It is vital to minimize air pollution and to enjoy the pollution free environment because air is one of the important resources for the sustenance of life on terrestrial organisms.
P. Muthupriya, B.G. Vishnuram and K. Subramanian
Land use planning through land evaluation of a water-shed using remote sensing and GIS techniques
Critical appraisal of existing land becomes significant for assessment of sustainable development of any resource, as the runoff moves and water resources on spatial-temporal dimension are indispensable. The process of planning at grass root level for optimal utilization of these resources further needs deeper evaluation. Timely as well as reliability on available data facilitates the planner to formulate a comprehensive plan with unambiguity. The present work envisages to assess natural resources for a part of Maheshwaram watershed area situated in Rangareddy District, A.P., and to identify the existing problems and potential of the area and to generate an action plan for the optimum development on a sustainable basis. The efficient and proper utilization of water resources is very essential in order to fulfil the water requirements for various purposes such as drinking, irrigation, industrial use, etc. It can be achieved by proper watershed management, which requires various characteristics of watershed such as land use information, geology of the area, soil type, drainage system, it’s size and shape of streams. Conventional and manual techniques for the study of watershed characteristics are expensive and time consuming. Remote Sensing and GIS techniques can provide quick and accurate information about watershed characteristics for the efficient watershed management. IRS-1D (LISS-III+PAN) data have been used to generate different thematic maps. The action plan suggests necessary measures to be taken to convert the unproductive areas into profitable one without increasing environmental degradation.
P. Srinivas and C. Sarala
Effect of stone crusher dust on leaves of Melia azedarach Linn. and Dalbergia sissoo Roxb. in Jammu (J&K)
The effect of stone crusher dust, which settles on the leaves and becomes a hard mass when comes in contact with water, on the morphology, micromorphology and anatomical details of leaflets of Melia azedarach Linn. and Dalbergia sissoo Roxb. growing in the vicinity of a stone crusher in Kaluchak area of Jammu has been studied. The observations on various parameters like colour and area of leaflets, stomatal length, breadth, frequency and index, thickness of leaflet, lower and upper epidermis and mesophyll tissues have been recorded and compared with the plants growing at the reference site. Results indicate that the total thickness of the leaflets and the thickness of upper epidermis decrease at the polluted site in both the genera. The length and breadth of the stomata decreases while the frequency and index of the stomata increases at polluted site in M. azedarach. However, reverse of this has been recorded for the D. sissoo which seems to be sensitive to dust generated by crushers in its morphological and micromorphological parameters as compared to M. azedarach.
Anil K. Raina, Vikram Rathore and Arti Sharma
Status of the groundwater quality in Kuniamuthur and Madukkarai areas of Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu
The paper deals with study of physico-chemical parameters such as pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, total hardness, total alkalinity, calcium, magnesium, manganese, ammonia, chloride, sulphate and fluoride of ground waters from seven sampling stations in Kuniamuthur and Madukkarai areas of Coimbatore. The analysed data were compared with standard values recommended by WHO, USPH, BIS and ICMR, and the variations were notable for the parameters like total hardness and electrical conductivity for few samples.
K. Jothivenkatachalam and K. Suresh
NGOs and their role in involvement of women in conservation of lakes in Mysore city, Karnataka
Women can play a crucial role in environmental management and protect natural resources such as lakes. For some 30 years, international and UN global conferences have repeatedly recognized that effective sustainable water resource management depends on engaging women at all levels of decision-making and implementation; but in developing countries, access of women to scientific and technological education, training and career is limited. The fact that, women are not technically literate is particularly relevant with regard to water supply and sanitation. The Agenda 21 pointed out education and training programmes for women should be launched with regard to the protection of water resources. Studies in the world about local women showed that women who participated in many water projects, their awareness and sensitivity increases to environment and environmental challenges, and their attitudes, ability, empowerment of concern for the environment quality changed. Also, it makes them responsible to take action and acquire skills to identify and help resolve environmental problems. Education is a learning process that happened automatically during their participation on water projects. Mysore is the second biggest city in the State of Karnataka, India and has several lakes. Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) are making efforts for the conservation of these lakes by encouraging participation of local women. However, the efforts are not at the desired level. This paper makes an attempt to understand the role of NGOs in conservation of lakes in Mysore and especially the role of women in these efforts. The paper addresses the following questions: 1. What is the role of NGOs in conservation of lakes in Mysore? 2. How women are involved in the conservation? 3. Whether the NGOs have sufficient expertise in addressing environmental issues related to conservation of lakes? It is a study based on the information collected from NGOs located in Mysore city. Preliminary findings indicate that majority of the NGOs need training in technical and environmental aspects related to the lakes environment and methodologies for the involvement of local women. The paper concludes with suggestions to NGOs for successful involvement of women in conservation of lakes.
Farzaneh Shaikh Khatibi, Sadanand M. Yamakanamardi and M. Indira
Groundwater quality of Tulsipur town at Indo-Nepal border
The paper presents a case study on the influence of environmental parameters on groundwater quality in Tulsipur town. Groundwater samples were taken from hand pumps from three depths, i.e., 10-12 metre, 20-25 metre and 30-35 metre. The study revealed significant changes of water quality during three different depths. A device to remove pathogens has also been suggested.
D. K. Mishra and A. K. Srivastava
Effects of salinity on the toxicity of copper and zinc to the fish Therapon jarbua (Forsskal)
Knowledge of acute toxicity of a pollutant can be used in predicting and preventing the possible damage to organisms, which help in regulating toxic waste discharges into the waters in which they live. Toxicity tests were carried out on the fish Therapon jarbua, the common species found along the near shore waters of Mumbai. Toxicity of Cu, Zn and mixtures of Cu and Zn at 22 ± 2 ‰ and 32 ± 2 ‰ salinities were studied. The response of the fish was found to be varying very little between 24 and 48 h while at 72 and 96 h the difference was appreciable. It was evident from the experiments that salinity plays a significant role in the toxicity of metals to estuarine and marine organisms. The LC50 values of Cu were found to be 2-3 times less toxic in 22 ± 2 ‰ salinity than that observed at 32 ± 2‰. The LC50 values of Zn were 1.1-1.7 times less in lower salinity than that observed at higher salinity.
Asha J. Rao and Vijayalaksmi R. Nair
Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms for describing lead (II) adsorption on pretreated macrofungus (Agaricus bisporus)
Studies have shown that fungal organisms possess the capacity of heavy metal removal. In the present investigation, a study in batch system was conducted using the macrofungus, Agaricus bisporus as biosorbent for evaluating its potentiality to adsorb lead (II) ions from aqueous solution. To improve the bioadsorption capacity, the biosorbent was pretreated with NaOH, Na2CO3 and NaHCO3. Pretreatment with NaOH resulted in a significant improvement in bioadsorption capacity. The experimental equilibrium data were adjusted by adsorption isotherms from Langmuir and Freundlich models and their equilibrium parameters were determined. For the untreated biosobent, the Langmuir model supplied qmax = 28.8 mg/g and b = 0.02 L/mg and for the Freundlich model parameters are Kf = 1.7 and n =1.8. For the sodium hydroxide (NaOH) treated biomass, the parameters were qmax = 34.6 mg/g, b= 0.08 L/mg, Kf = 5.3 and n = 2.3. The best adjusted model to the experimental equilibrium data for both untreated and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) treated biosorbent was the Langmuir model.
D. Charumathi, R. Vimala and Nilanjana Das
A report on the pollution algae from the Thrissur Kol wetlands (part of Vembanad Kol, Ramsar site), Kerala
The present survey of algae was undertaken at four sites in the Kol wetlands of Thrissur district, Kerala. The study area lies between 10°20’ and 10°30’ N lat. and 76°5’ and 76°15’ E long. The analysis of algae in the study area shows eighteen pollution tolerant algal species, which were indicators of pollution. Out of the 64 genera found in the study area, 30 genera were pollution tolerant.
P. P. Tessy and R. Sreekumar
Comparative study of effect of the unused petrol and used (oil mixed) petrol on soil macronutrients, C\N ratio of soil and certain antioxidant levels of two leguminous plants
This study deals with the soil macronutrients and certain plant antioxidants, which can be used to assess the soil pollution in petrol mixed soil and garage soil. The study shows that unused petrol is responsible for greater plant stress in the two legumes studied compared to the used (oil mixed) petrol of garage soil.
M. Arul Nangai
Preliminary study on selected parameters of Tumkur city sewage
Sewage is domestic waste enriched with nutrients and plays vital role in water pollution. Tumkur city sewage studies were conducted during summer and monsoon (Feb. 2007 to Sept. 2007) for temperature, pH, EC, total dissolved solids (TDS), dissolved oxygen (DO), free carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulphide, BOD, COD, acidity, alkalinity, hardness, chloride, nitrate and phosphate from six sampling points namely residential area (S1), business centre (S2), slum (S3), converging point (S4), open drain (S5) and treated (S6). The results revealed that the EC, chloride, hardness, TDS, alkalinity and acidity were decreased, whereas pH and DO values increased in the treated sewage. The significance of closed, open drainage, converging and treated sewage chemistry results are discussed in light of the recent literature. The low cost treatment measures are suggested to reduce BOD and nutrient levels of the sewage.
K. S. Kumara and S. L. Belagali
Fly ash - A substitute of fine aggregate in concrete
The sharp fall in underground water table in river basins is said to be the outcome of indiscriminate sand mining resulting in the deepening of river beds. The natural sand beds have voids of 45-50% in the soil where the rain water is retained by the river sand. This property of the river sand is mainly responsible for maintaining the ground water table in and around river basins. This paper deals with the partial replacement of river sand by fly ash in aggregate in concrete without compromising the strength.
Jino John, Sunilaa George, P.N. Magudeswaran
Water quality index of groundwaters near industrial areas of Balrampur, U.P.
The paper deals with groundwater quality in nearby industrial areas of Balrampur city. The area has one of the largest sugar factories of India, i.e., B.C.M. Ltd. including one distillery unit and one power plant. Beside this, approximately 72 small and large scale industries are also present here. The groundwater samples were collected from three different sites having different depths. The physico-chemical parameters like pH, TDS, dissolved oxygen, total hardness, calcium, magnesium, sulphate, nitrate and chloride were analysed and compared based on water quality index (WQI). This determines the water quality for various purposes like irrigation and potable purpose. The result indicates poor status of water. Comparative study of the three different sites indicates that the groundwater nearly industrial areas of Balrampur city is not suitable for human and cattle cunsumption.
G. B. Chaturvedi, B. B. Mishra and D. D. Tewari
Treatment of wastewater from dairy industry by root zone method
In India, the dairy industry contribute a significant percentage of the total quantity of waste generated. Since, milk processing consumes large amount of water, the volume of effluent discharged from the industry is very high. It increases level of BOD and depletes dissolved oxygen of the receiving waters. In this paper various water quality characteristics such as pH, electrical conductivity, COD and TDS of the effluent are studied before and after the application of root zone treatment system (RZTS), and it is found that the treatment is very effective.
G. Manjula and P. N. Magudeswaran
Physico-chemical and microbial characteristics of Krishna river water in Satara district
Seventy two water samples were collected from six sampling sites over a period of 12 months from Krishna river in Satara district. Physico-chemical and microbial analysis of the water samples were carried out. The influence of physico-chemical characteristics on the microbial flora with special reference to actinomycetes was evaluated.
U. V. Mane and A. M. Deshmukh
Effect of heavy metal contaminated maize on mammalian system
The result of anthropogenic activity has resulted in the entry of toxic heavy metals into the environment at any stage from mining to final use. During recycling and use it contaminates soil, crops, water, air, dust and food crops. The East Kolkata Wetland has high environmental concentrations of toxic pollutants including heavy metals in the soil because it receives the untreated sewage of Kolkata; different crops and vegetables including maize are grown here in this place. In the present investigation, the plant and animal models selected were maize and rats. The maize collected from the contaminated soil of East Kolkata wetlands was found to contain 12.5µg/mg dry-weight of lead. Cadmium was also tested but it was not present. Sixteen albino rats were divided into four groups: Group I served as control and was fed with normal diet; group II was fed with normal diet mixed with normal maize; group III was given contaminated maize from the East Kolkata wetlands mixed with normal diet and group IV was fed with a combination of 12.5µg/mg of lead chloride and normal diet. After 6 weeks, the rats were anaesthized with chloroform and then dissected. Changes in organ weight, body weight, haemoglobin percentage and lead content in various organs were determined. Short-term lead exposure showed enlargement of the kidney. In the liver, accumulation of fatty acids and lesions present were pronounced. Spleen mass had visibly increased and, in general, white patches or globules were observed. The SGPT count did not show any major changes. The body weight was found to reduce in the groups administered with lead salts and contaminated maize. But the one fed with lead contaminated maize showed partial increase. Analysis of lead in the organ samples showed the expected dose-dependent accumulation of the metal even when fed with a low concentration. There was a decrease in the weight of the liver from 2.5g to 1.9g, and increase in the weight of the spleen from 0.75g to 1g, and of kidney from 0.1g to 0.6g. There was also a notable decrease in the haemoglobin percentage of the third and fourth groups. The rats belonging to the first and second group were fed with normal food and they showed a haemoglobin percentage of 13.8% and 14.4% respectively. The third and fourth groups of rats showed a considerable fall in the haemoglobin percentage of 12.2% and 11.8% respectively.
Saurov Sett, Debarati Bhattacharjee, Ronita Mookerji, Tasfia Rakib, K. Sarkar and A. K. Mitra
Studies on the growth of some fodder and fuel trees under association with different shrubs and grasses
While considering the vital role of forest as grazing resource, the importance of fodder cum fuel trees need to be assessed to establish and procure more fuel during greater part of the year. Be sides other parameters, the search on fodder tree evaluation as fodder resource is necessary with other crops. The vital role of wasteland areas and to convert them into productive ecosystems by making use of different shrubs was considered pre-eminent. In this direction, a continuous program for three years was conducted on fundamental cum applied role of shrubland plants in raising biomass productivity.
R. Y. Kulkarni and D. V. Dev
Length-weight and allometric relationship in Chicoreus virgineus and Muricanthus virgineus (Gastropoda: Muricidae) distributed in Cuddalore coast of Bay of Bengal
Length-weight and various allometric relationships between different morphological parameters in two muricid gastropods of Chicoreus virgineus and Muricanthus virgineus were studied. The correlation coefficient of the two species was found to be significant (P < 0.001). Significant difference was observed in the analysis of variance for various morphological measurements in males and females of Muricanthus virgineus. Highly significant results were also obtained for both the species in allometry and its correlation coefficient.
C. Stella and C. Raghunathan
Amb river diversion for extracting the coal in Umrer area, Nagpur district - A case study
In the present situation, coal is an important raw material used for various industrial purposes. Generally, coal exists under the ground which can be extracted by removing the top soil. If the same coal exists below the river bed, the river has to be diverted in order to extract the coal. The primary survey was done in the area through which the Amb river water is being passed out. The levels were taken at regular intervals by using total station and the reduced levels were calculated. The volume of earth in cutting and filling were evaluated for forming a levelled river bed. The river plugs were designed to stop the flow of water before diverting the river flow into the designed river bed. The nallas which are the junction points were also designed which are provided along the river bed wherever the bed width changes.
P. Srinivas and A. Sreenivasulu
Floristic studies of aquatic and semiaquatic angiosperms of Ratu Maharaja pond, Ranchi, Jharkhand
The paper is the outcome of extensive study of Ratu Maharaja Pond, situated about 6 km away from Ranchi, Jharkhand. The study was conducted in the year 205 and 2006. A total number of 32 aquatic and semiaquatic angiosperms were collected from the pond, belonging to 22 families and 26 genera. Out of these 12 families belong to dicot having 12 genera and 16 species, whereas 10 families belong to monocot having 14 genera and 16 species.
Sudhir Kumar Verma and Pramod Kumar Pandey
Ecological investigations of Daha river of Ssiwan, Bihar
Physico-chemical parameters of Daha river in Siwan were measured at monthly interval from November 2005 to Octeber 2007. This river gains some nutrients from domestic wastewaters and from animal wastes. The various parameters like temperature, pH, turbidity, total solids, DO, BOD, COD, chloride, sulphate, etc. were studied. The water was slightly alkaline. Significant seasonal variations were observed throughout the study period. The overall level of various parameters suggests that the river not much polluted.
Reeta Kumari and P. Rani
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