Archives Issues
Volume 11, Issue No 4, Dec 2012
Investigation of Geotechnical Engineering Properties of Subsurface Soils in Bonny Island, Eastern Niger Delta
The purpose of the investigation was to evaluate the subsurface lithologies as well as to examine the properties of the soils in the area, especially with respect to their strengths and bearing capacities, with a view to determining the suitability or otherwise of the subsoil as bearing media for a shallow foundation system. Borings for subsurface exploration in the area were made at three (3) well spaced locations with a hand auger to a maximum depth of 30m each below the existing ground level and the execution of two (2) Cone Penetrometer Tests (CPTs) to maximum depth or refusal. The study is aimed at determining the suitability of the location prior to the design and construction of foundations in the area. Results of the study reveal that BH 1 is characterized by soft, dark grey peat with a thickness of 2.0m. This layer of peat is underlain to 9.0m by medium dense, dark grey fine sand and in turn overlies medium dense to dense, grey fine to medium sand to the terminal depth at 30.0m, and becoming light grey at 24.0m. In BH 2, the topsoil is soft, dark grey peat to 0.50m. Underlying the above layer of peat to 1.0m is loose, light brown fine sand with plant roots. From 1.0m to 3.0m is a layer of soft, grey sandy silt which is underlain by medium dense, grey fine sand of 3.0m thickness. From 6.0m to 9.0m is dark grey, fine sand with intercalation of silty clay at 9.0m and from 10.0m to 22.0m is medium dense, grey fine to medium sand. From 23.0m to the terminal depth at 30.0m is medium dense to dense, brown fine to medium sand. The study shows that the topsoil in borehole 3 is similar to borehole 2. However, underlying the peat in BH 3 is brown fine sand to 1.0m and underlying the fine sand to 3.0m is medium dense, light brown fine sand. From 3.0m to 14.0m is medium to dense, light grey fine sand which in turn is underlain by medium dense to dense, fine to medium sand of 8.0m thickness. From 22.0m to the terminal depth at 30.0m is medium dense to dense, grey fine medium sand. Generally, the sand layers in all the boreholes exhibited high SPT values at deeper depths. The results obtained from this study have emphasized the usefulness of geotechnical studies in establishing variation in lithology accompanied by variation in the allowable bearing pressure of foundation soils.
H. O. Nwankwoala
Influence of Seasons on the Physico-chemical Water Quality Parameters of Halkurke Tank and Honnavalli (Hirekere) Tank Waters
Considering the impacts of agricultural runoff, domestic sewage and other anthropogenic activities on the quality of surface water, a physico-chemical study regarding water quality assessment of Halkurke tank and Honnavalli tank water samples belonging to Tiptur Tahsil was carried out for one year to know the seasonal variation and to assess water quality. In the present study, physico-chemical parameters such as temperature, pH, EC, TDS, TH, alkalinity, carbonate, bicarbonate, chloride, sulphate, phosphate, sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium and boron were estimated. To check the suitability of water for irrigation SAR, % Na, RSC and RSBC parameters were evaluated. The results revealed that the physico-chemical parameters were within the range prescribed by BIS for drinking purposes, but they were on the higher side. The values of pH were on mild alkaline side due to higher alkalinity. Higher values of SAR (5.68 and 4.19), EC (704 and 732.25µmhos/cm), RSC (4.3 and 2.81 meq/L) and Na% (72.38 and 62.71) pose salinity and permeability problems to soils and put the said water samples under medium quality for irrigation purposes. Since these tanks are the only sources to recharge the underground water of the area, groundwater quality of these regions will also be gradually affected.
A. M. Shivanna and G. Nagendrappa
Local and Regional Features of Surface Radiation Fluxes Over the Tropical Atlantic Ocean Near Sao Pedro and Sao Paulo Archipelago: Evidence of Small Scale Upwelling
To properly describe the interactions between the ocean and atmosphere, it is necessary to assess a variety of time and spatial scales phenomena. Here, high resolution oceanographic and meteorological data collected during an observational campaign carried out aboard a ship in the tropical Atlantic Ocean, on May 15-24, 2002, is used to describe the radiation balance at the ocean interface. Data collected by two PIRATA buoys, along the equator at 23ºW and 35ºW and satellite and climate data are compared with the data obtained during the observational campaign. Comparison indicates remarkable similarity for daily and hourly values of radiation fluxes components as consequence of the temporal and spatial consistence presented by the air and water temperatures measured in situ and estimated from large scale information. The discrepancy, mainly in the Sao Pedro and Sao Paulo Archipelago area, seems to be associated to the local upwelling of cold water, which is not detected in all other estimates investigated here. More in situ data are necessary to clarify whether this upwelling flow has a larger scale effect and what are the meteorological and oceanographic implications of the local upwelling area on the tropical waters at the Brazilian coast.
Jacyra Soares, Amauri P. de Oliveira, Georgia Codato and Joao Francisco Escobedo
Phyllosphere Mycoflora of Celosia Argentea L.
A total number of eight fungal species viz., Fusarium oxysporium, Fusarium equisiti, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Rhizopus arrhizus, Alternaria alternata and Penicillium notatum were isolated by both dilution plate method and leaf impression method from phyllosphere of young to mature to senescent but healthy leaves of Celosia argentea L. The total population of these microorganisms showed a considerable increase from young to mature to senescent leaves. A possible role of these microorganisms as bio-control agents of the weed has been discussed.
P. Saritha and A. Sreeramulu
Environmental Noise Pollution in Ilorin Metropolis, Nigeria
This paper presents the results obtained from environmental noise measurements at selected locations in Ilorin metropolis. Forty two different locations throughout Ilorin were selected to establish background noise level, peak noise level and dominant noise sources at these locations. It was observed that, the A-weighted sound levels (LAeq), background noise level (L90) and peak noise level (L10) measured vary with the location and period of the day. Due to traffic characteristics, especially traffic volume, vehicle horns, vehicle-mounted loudspeakers, unmuffled vehicles, record players and hawking, there is high LAeq, L90 and L10 at road junctions (77 dBA, 66 dBA, 77 dBA), passengers loading parks (76 dBA, 66 dBA, 77 dBA ) and commercial centres (73 dBA, 64 dBA, 74 dBA). Average daily noise exposure level (LAeq) in Ilorin metropolis varies from 46 dBA to 86 dBA. The result of this study shows that the major source of noise in Ilorin metropolis can be attributed to traffic noise. Other intrusive noise sources include noise from record players and hawking with loud speakers. Based on the recommendations of Committee on Environmental and Occupational Health (CEOH), World Health Organization (WHO) and Housing and Urban Development (HUD), only 6 locations out of 42 are under normally acceptable situation while the noise levels of other areas are not acceptable. Based on the noise descriptors (LAeq, LD, LN, LDN, TNI and LNP), noise map is developed to identify locations with high noise exposure. The noise map developed reveals high noise exposure at the nucleus of the metropolis where commercial activities, high traffic volume and clustered buildings with high population exist. The result of this study is useful as reference and guideline for future regulations on noise limit to be implemented for urban areas in Nigeria.
Oyedepo, Sunday Olayinka
Pesticide Residues Monitoring in Some Agricultural Soil Samples of Taybad, Eastern Iran
The main objective of this study was focused on determining the likely presence of pesticide residues in agricultural soil samples in Taybad district, Khorasan Razavi Province, Iran. Ten agricultural soil samples were taken from different farms were analysed using gas chromatography (GC) method consisting of electron capture detector (ECD) for organochlorine pesticides (OCPs). Seven soil samples were eventually found to be positively polluted by pesticide residues (70 % of the samples) including dieldrin, a-HCH, b-HCH, endosulfan-1, p, p’-DDT, and o,p-DDT. Although endosulfan-1 occurred with the most frequency among the pesticide residues in the soil samples (3 times) and o,p-DDT showed the highest concentration compared to other residues (0.0014 ppm), all the detected pesticide residues were quietly in low concentrations.
Mohammad Nasser Modoodi and Saleh Mahmudian Niar
Towards A Rapid and Repeatable Assessment Indicator System for Wetland Ecosystems: Example from the Poyang Lake National Nature Reserve, China
Six wetland sites in the Poyang Lake, the largest freshwater lake in China, were sampled by two observers with different levels of experience following a two-day training workshop for a suite of scientifically defensible, rapid and repeatable indicator system that can serve as a blueprint to be used routinely in the area. A probabilistic random-stratified sampling design was used to select sites to be sampled. Field protocols consisted of different sections including scoring boundary forms, and quantitative ratings. Metric scores were assigned using the ratings for the current state of the wetland, without regard for what the wetland might have been in the past, or what it might become in the future. The variance in observer to observer scoring at each site was used to calculate pooled standard deviations, coefficients of variation, and signal-to-noise ratios for each survey. The results showed that the relationship between pairs of observer scores had little observer bias (rho = 0.845, p < 0.01) for all the sites in the surveyed. Training could have had a significant contribution to observer to observer repeatability. We are confident that, as developed, these indicators could be successfully applied for monitoring and assessing wetlands, recognizing that further field testing and verifications are still needed.
Innocent Ndoh Mbue, Jiwen Ge, Mainza Sibajene and Zhaojun Wu
Ecological Effects and Occupational Health Hazards Due to Coir Retting: A Case Study from West Coast of Kerala, India
The backwater of Kerala is becoming polluted due to persistent retting of coconut husk for the manufacture of coir. This paper assesses the ecological status of the retting ground and brings out the occupational health hazards due to coir retting. It is observed that the quality of water becomes deteriorated due to retting, and plankton and benthic fauna show low community diversity. The paper also highlights the occupational health hazards observed among the coir workers.
M. Kadeeja Beevi, S. Sreekumar and Hiran Nazir K.
Isolation and Identification of Gram Positive Biosurfactants Producing Bacteria from Mighan Wetland in Iran
Biosurfactants are surface active compounds which are produced by bacteria, fungi and yeasts. Most of them have different structures including: lipopeptides, glycolipids, polysaccharides, protein complexes, fatty acids and phospholipids. Nowadays, due to their useful properties, they have attracted attention of many. Therefore, the present study was conducted to isolate Gram positive bacteria capable of producing biosurfactants from Mighan Wetland in Iran. Accordingly, the isolated microorganisms were evaluated using oil spreading technique with different types of oil and haemolysis tests. The selected microorganisms were detected by their ability to produce surfactants using TLC. The results indicated that out of seven different isolated genera two were Gram positive, and they were characterized as Bacillus firmus and Staphylococcus sp. On the other hand, oil spreading technique indicated that organisms are able to produce biosurfactants. In addition, extracted biosurfactant on TLC plates and applying ninhydrin reagent indicated the lipopeptide structure of the biosurfactant by producing red spot. Hence, the present study illustrated that this area of investigation could be a suitable place for isolation of microorganism with capability to produce biosurfactants and it could be used for further study and applications.
N. Fazaeli, N. Bahador, and A. Jamalian
Evaluating Environmental Land Use/Land Cover Change Detection in Sub Urban Fringe Area Around Madurai City Using GIS Technique
Urban growth is most rapid in the developing world, where cities gain an average of five million residents every month in a year. The rapid urbanization and other infrastructure development in cities made workers to substitute a greater distance between their residencies and the cities so it encroached industries and businesses to locate or relocate in suburban fringe areas which contain all facilities such as in metropolitan areas. The urban service area-Madurai, a metropolitan area, is currently experiencing linear to horizontal expansion and a variety of development pressures due to the unabated scattered population growth and socio-economic status, which portrays the conversion of agriculture lands, wet lands and number of water bodies into housing and industrial sites in a haphazard manner at the outskirts of the city known as Madurai suburban fringe area. This study evaluates the effectiveness of high-resolution satellite data and computer aided GIS techniques in assessing the land use change dynamics within the study area, Madurai city and its suburban fringe areas, from 2001 to 2008. Satellite images were used for the year 2001 and 2008 at scale 1:50000.
S. Muthu Meenakshi and A. Sundara
Enhancing the Image of Urban Space, Promoting Urban History and Culture: A Case Study of the Urban Design of Wangjiang Avenue
As regarded as people’s main activity space in the city, urban roads are the most important part of cities’ public space environment and they are also the main ways to observe and understand the city. So the urban design of cities’ roads is no doubt the most straightforward and effective method to display and enhance the cities’ image. Along with the improvement of people’s living standard, people’s requirements of the charm and quality of cities’ public space environment are becoming higher and higher. This paper takes the urban design of Wangjiang Avenue as an example to do some useful explorations on enhancing cities’ space image.
Yang Li
Effect of Topical Treatment of Rosmarinus Officinalis Essential Oil on Wound Healing in Streptozotocin Induced Diabetic Rats
A common complication of diabetes is impaired wound healing. Systemic Rosmarinus officinalis oil improves healing in diabetics, which is dose dependent and may have side effects. There is very less information regarding topical Rosmarinus officinalis oil use. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of topical Rosmarinus officinalis oil on wound healing. Diabetes was induced in Wistar rats by using streptozotocin. The control group comprised age-matched animals not submitted to streptozotocin injection. Diabetic state was confirmed by glycosuria and hyperglycemia. Under tribromoethanol anaesthesia, four skin wounds (4mm diameter) were performed on shaved dorsal area (2 each side of median line). Topical Rosmarinus officinalis oil was applied daily only on both wounds on right side of median line. Animals were sacrificed on day 3 and 7 after surgery and tissue samples were prepared and observed under light microscopy. Histological, histometric and stereological methods were used for analysis. Topical Rosmarinus officinalis oil accelerated wound closure in diabetic and non-diabetic rats and the results were found to be more active than antibiotic treated controls. Topical Rosmarinus officinalis oil could be helpful in diabetics in order to improve the wound healing process avoiding possible adverse effects from systemic medication. All the values were statistically significant.
K. Umasankar, Balwin Nambikkairaj and D. Manley Backyavathy
Removal of Mo(VI) from Aqueous Solutions using Pyrite and Cinder: Batch and Column Adsorption Studies
Removal of heavy metals from mine tailing effluent has been a long-standing environmental management issue in mining industry. In this study, removal of Mo(VI) from aqueous solutions was investigated using pyrite and cinder. Various parameters such as pH, agitation time and Mo(VI) concentration have been studied in batch experiments for the two materials firstly. The maximum adsorption of Mo(VI) occurred at pH 4.0 for cinder, and 3.0 for pyrite. Kinetic studies showed that Mo(VI) adsorption by the two materials generally obeyed a pseudo second-order model. Furthermore, application of Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models to the adsorption equilibrium data showed that the adsorption behavior obeyed the Langmuir model. The adsorption capacity of cinder and pyrite was found to be 3.01 and 8.35 mg Mo(VI)/g adsorbent. Subsequently, three flow-through columns (Column 1#, Vpyrite : Vcinder = 2:1; Column 2#, Vpyrite : Vcinder = 1:1; Column 3#, Vpyrite : Vcinder = 1:2) were operated for the removal of Mo(VI) for six months. Results indicated the average removal efficiency of Mo(VI) by Column 1# were 47.68%, by Column 2# were 50.03%, and by Column 3# were 23.34%, respectively. Therefore, the pyrite-cinder mixture (V pyrite : V cinder = 1:1) proven to be a feasible and cost-efficient treatment technology for Mo(VI) removal.
F. Q. Wang, Y. M. Zhang, J. J. Lian, Y. B. Guo, L. M. Wang and Y. X. Gao
Performance Evaluation of Improved Cook Stoves
Approximately 70-80% of the total energy used in villages is consumed for domestic cooking and 80-90% of the domestic energy needs are met through firewood, cow dung and agricultural crop wastes. The bio fuels are being burned in low efficiency traditional cook stoves. The environment within the house is polluted by the smoke emitted from the traditional cook stoves causing ill effect on health of women and children. To alleviate this problem, a number of double pot improved cook stoves (ICSs) have been developed for rural people. Experiments were conducted on different models of cook stoves viz. traditional cook stove, Sukhad, Udairaj and improved Udairaj models to find the thermal efficiency, power rating and specific fuel consumption by conducting water boiling test. Udairaj cook stove was found to have the highest thermal efficiency of 23.4%, whereas traditional cook stove was found to have lowest thermal efficiency of 15.4% among the cook stoves tested. Uadairaj and improved Udairaj cook stoves were found to have similar power rating and lowest specific fuel consumption in the range of 0.811 kw to 0.849 kw and 1.232 kg/kwh to 1.225 kg/kwh respectively whereas traditional cook stove was found to have lowest power rating of 0.559 kw and highest specific fuel consumption of 1.799 kg/kwh.
Ch. Someswararao, G. Prasanna Kumar, Ch. V. V. Satyanarayana
Effects of Land Use on Ecosystem Service Function of the Songhua River basin in Harbin Region
Rapid land use pattern change has taken place in Songhua River basin of old industry base in northeast region of China over the past decades in Harbin region. In this paper, changes in land use pattern in this region were analysed by using Landsat TM data in 1989 and 2007, to quantitatively explore the spatio-temporal LUCC (land use and cover change) characteristics, and based on this information, the regional ecosystem service value was estimated. Cropland and unused land decreased, while built-up land increased greatly. The greatest change rate occurred in water bodies but the least occurred in cropland. The ecosystem service value increased 4.8496×108 yuan, with increasing range of 8.3285%, cropland turned into forestland occurred the greatest positive contribution rate, accounted for 18.9437%, while forestland turned into cropland occurred the greatest negative contribution rate, accounted for 10.2426%. The increase of built-up land impacted the ecosystem service value and ecological environment negatively, and the increase of forestland and water body and the decrease of unused land improved the ecological environment and its ecosystem service values. Those improving the ecological environment were from other types of land use to forestland and water body, however, those worsening the ecological environment were from forest and grassland to cropland and built-up land.
Fengwen Gong, Wenyi Fan and Li Yuan
Hydrochemistry of the Groundwater from Coastal Aquifer in Amol-Ghaemshahr Region, Mazandaran Province, North Iran
Present study is an attempt to understand the hydrochemical characteristics of groundwater in Amol- Ghaemshahr region, Mazandaran province in North Iran. Groundwater samples were randomly collected from 77 wells in Amol-Ghaemshahr plain having different depths, varying from 2.4 m to 198 m. The physico-chemical parameters such as pH, electrical conductivity (EC) and total dissolved solids (TDS) were measured in addition to major cation and anion concentrations. The abundance of major ions is as follows: Ca2+ > Na+ > Mg2+ > K+ and HCO3- > Cl- >SO42- > NO3-. Thematic maps pertaining to pH, TDS, EC, Cl-, NO3-, SO42- and Na+ were presented in Geographical Information System (GIS) based maps. Different classes in thematic maps were categorized as desirable, permissible and unpermissible based on WHO standards for drinking purposes. The chemistry of water samples from coastal aquifer was interpreted by using classical Piper diagrams. The study indicates that Ca-Mg-HCO3 and Ca-Mg-Cl are the dominant hydrochemical facies followed by Na-Cl and Ca-Mg-SO4 facies. Gibb’s plot reveals that the mechanisms responsible for controlling chemical composition of the groundwater are both rock-water interaction and evaporation.
Houshang Khairy and M. R. Janardhana
Soil Fertility Assessment of Research and Teaching Farm of Audu Bako College of Agriculture Danbatta, Kano State, Nigeria
The most important variables in the soil are the plant nutrient elements. But Savannah soils are known to be low in these variables. Laboratory study was conducted to evaluate the soil fertility status of Audu Bako College of Agriculture Research and Teaching Farm, aimed at assessing these variables. The results of this study shows that all the variables tested, which includes among others exchangeable bases, organic carbon, total nitrogen, available phosphorus and cation exchange capacity (CEC), were low due to high leaching and excessive volatilization, which could be arrested by some practices like mulching, application of more organic manure and supplementing with inorganic fertilizers.
Sanda Ahmad R. and Ismail Y.M.
Hydrochemical Characterisation of the Water of Outer Himalayas of Himachal Pradesh
The present study is intended to analyse the water quality of different water sources of Hamirpur, Una, Bilaspur and Shimla districts of Himachal Pradesh. The physico-chemical characteristics like pH, turbidity, calcium, magnesium, total dissolved solids, total hardness, iron total residual chlorine and total alkalinity were studied and found to be deviating from the standard values. The pH, turbidity and calcium were found to be more in the study area. The physico-chemical parameters were taken for calculation of water quality index. The quality of water at some places was found to be good except for some sampling stations where quality index of water was very low.
Ratan Chand Sharma, Meena Kumari and Shivani Dogra
Haemato-Biochemical Studies on Diclofenac, Ibuprofen and Nimesulide Induced Toxicity in Broilers
The present experimental work was conducted to elucidate the haemato-biochemical studies in broiler chicks when treated with diclofenac sodium, ibuprofen and nimesulide. For this study 120 apparently healthy broiler chicks of either sex were randomly divided into 10 groups comprising 10 birds in 9 groups and 30 birds in control group. The broilers of diclofenac groups were administered 10, 20 and 30 mg/kg body weight of diclofenac sodium for 5 days. Similarly the broilers of ibuprofen groups were administered with 15, 30 and 45 mg/kg body weight of ibuprofen with feed for 5 days. The birds of nimesulide groups were administered with 10, 20 and 30 mg/kg nimesulide for 5 days. The birds of control group were maintained on feed and plain water to serve as control. There was no significant difference in haematological parameters in birds which are intoxicated with diclofenac, ibuprofen and nimesulide. On the other hand there was significant difference in alkaline phosphatase and BUN biochemical parameters, but no significant difference in total protein and calcium intoxication in chicks.
Majid Shafi, Umesh Kumar Garg, Najmus Saqib, Omer Khalil Baba, Badru-Duja Farid and Arshad Wali
Influence of Effective Microorganisms (EM) During Startup of Anaerobic Treatment of Pulp and Paper Mill Wastewater in HUASB Reactor
Anaerobic treatment of bagasse wash water from paper and pulp mill was studied using a lab scale HUASB reactor of 7.88 L effective volume with three phase system. The initial characteristics of bagasse wash water were: pH 5.2-6.5, TCOD 2000-6000 mg/L, BOD 900-2500 mg/L, TS 4000-4500 mg/L, VSS 1000-1500 mg/L. The reactor was loaded with pulp and paper mill wastewater, seed sludge and activated Effective Microorganisms (EM) operated on continuous mode for a period of 130 days with an HRT varying from 24 to 8 hrs and start up with successful granulation has been achieved. An optimum TCOD removal was attained at the OLR of 7.8 kg COD/m3/day with TCOD removal of 81% with a gas production of 2.66 L/L per day and 70% of methane gas content with a production rate of 0.29 m3/kg COD removal were observed. The introduction of effective microorganisms has aided the start up period in an efficient way for better acclimatization inside the reactor that facilitate the biomethanation. The SEM analysis also shows stabilized Methanothrix and other microorganisms present in the reactor at the end of the start up.
N. Balasubramanian and M. Muthukumar
Particulate Matter Capturing Ability of Some Plant Species: Implication for Phytoremediation of Particulate Pollution Around Rourkela Steel Plant, Rourkela, India
The particulate pollution has always been amatter of great concern because of its adverse effect on human and plant population. In the present global environmental scenario, this problem has become increasingly severe. The particulates and gaseous pollutants, alone and in combination, can cause serious setbacks to the overall physiologyof plants.Results fromnumerous investigations of human respiratoryand other diseases have shown aconsistent statistical association between human exposures to the outdoor levels of particulates or dust and adverse health impacts. These hazards are more pronounced in the vicinity of industries where these particles become air-borne and inhalable. Research has shown that plant leaves being the main receptor of particulate pollution can act as biological filters, removing large quantities of particles from the urban atmosphere. This physical trait can be used to determine the level of particulate pollution in the surroundings, as well as the ability of individual plant species to intercept and mitigate particulate pollutants. In the present study, fifteen plant species (11 trees and 4 shrubs) growing around the Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP) area were selected. Particulate or dust load on leaf surfaces and leaf surface morphology as a measure of dust trapping ability of leaves were analysed. The plant species such as Alstonia scholaris, Anthocephalus indicus, Cassia auriculata, Cassia siamea, Lagerstroemia speciosa, Mimusops elengi, Peltophorum inerme and Tabebuia aurea were found to have high dust capturing capacity; Albizia lebbeck, Bougainvillea spectabilis, Ficus religiosa, Swietenia mahagoni and Thevetia nerifolia have medium, while species such as Caesalpinea pulcherima and Delonix regia have low dust capturing capacity. Results also indicate that leaf surface morphology greatly determines the dust trapping capacity of a particular plant species.
Sasmita Das and Pramila Prasad
Assessment of Freshwater Quality of Angoori Reservoir, District Datia, Madhya Pradesh
Angoori reservoir is a small man-made reservoir located in District Datia, Madhya Pradesh. It was constructed on Angoori nalla in the tributary of Pahuj River. The reservoir is used for different purposes like irrigation, fisheries and drinking water supply to Datia city. The physico-chemical characteristics of Angoori reservoir water were analysed from January 2009 to December 2009. During this period, the monthly variation in water temperature, pH, total dissolved solids, DO, free carbon dioxide, alkalinity, total hardness, chloride, BOD, COD, sodium, potassium and electrical conductivity of the water samples were recorded from the four sampling stations.
Abhay Kumar Rahul, M. K. S. Kushwaha, R. Mathur, Shashi Rahul and Akash Yadav
Assessment of Groundwater Quality in Shivpuri Town, Madhya Pradesh, India
The present work is aimed at assessing the water quality index (WQI) for the groundwater of Shivpuri town. This has been determined by collecting groundwater samples and subjecting them to a comprehensive physico-chemical analysis. For calculating the WQI, the following 12 parameters pH, TS, TDS, TSS, EC, total alkalinity, magnesium, calcium, total hardness, chloride, sulphate and nitrate were considered. The high value of WQI was found to be mainly due to higher values of iron, nitrate, total dissolved solids, hardness, fluorides, bicarbonate and manganese in the groundwater. The results of analyses have been used to suggest models for predicting water quality. The analysis reveals that the groundwater of the area needs some degree of treatment before consumption, and it also needs to be protected from the perils of contamination.
Anand Kumar Mishra, Mohit Arya, R. Mathur and R. B. Gupta
Icthyofauna Diversity and Its Abundance in East Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh
East Godavari district occupies a very important place in the fisheries map of Andhra Pradesh, which endowed with rich fishery resources of marine, inland and brackish water. The Ichthyofauna of East Godavari district was collected to record the biodiversity of fish fauna in the district. It is recorded that the fish fauna of this district comprises of 9 Orders, 59 Genera and 146 Species. The collection revealed that majority of the fish belong to order Cyprinoformes which predominates with 83 species followed by Siluriniformes with 30 species and Perciformes with 12 species. The Order Cypriniformes has most commercial importance fish such as Catla, Rohu, Mrigal and the Common Carp. The Order Channiformes represents all murrels Channa striatus, Channa marulius, Channa gachua and Channa punctatus which are of great commercial value. Hilsa hilsa belongs to the Order Cluperformes is also recorded here, which is an anadromous migratory fish visiting River Godavari during early monsoon months. There is an immediate need to take measures to conserve this fish.
K. S. Krishna Prasad, K. Narasimha Ramulu, and G. Benarjee
A Laboratory Study on the Physico-Chemical Characteristics of Various Surface Water Bodies in Coimbatore City, Tamil Nadu
The main objective of the study is focused on water quality assessment of various surface water bodies in the Coimbatore city during winter (January 2011) and summer (April 2011). About 75% of the population in the area selected depends on the lake water for domestic purposes, agriculture and industrial purposes. Water samples were collected from four lakes in and around Coimbatore having the same source. The physical and chemical parameters like pH, turbidity, total dissolved solids, electrical conductivity, hardness, concentration of calcium, magnesium, iron, free ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, chloride, fluoride, sulphate and phosphate were analysed and compared with standard techniques. The data were analysed by comparing the values with BIS standards. The studies revealed that water in all the four surface water bodies are to be pre-treated suitably and could be employed for drinking, agriculture and industrial purposes.
P. Meena Sundari, K. Senthamil Selvan and T. Meenambal
Effect of Hydraulic Loading Rates in the Performance of Rotating Biological Contactors for Treating Grey Water
The laboratory model of two-stage Rotating Biological Contactor (RBC) which was used in the present study is a modified one, with a provision to vary the speed of rotating blades. Grey wastewater was used to study the performance of the modified rotating biological contactor. The reactor had four rotating blades in each stage, having the size of 300mm × 100mm × 10mm, attached perpendicular to the shaft. The experiment was conducted for different influent COD loads and different speeds of rotating blades. Among the different speeds of rotational blades in treating grey water, the rotational speed of 3 rpm was found to yield better percent removal of COD at 95.85% as maximum, whereas against the rotational speeds of 4.5 and 6 rpm, the treatment efficiency is 92.15% and 90.90% respectively.
S. Syed Enayathali and V. Nehru Kumar
Significance of Physical Parameters of Coagulation-Flocculation in Water Treatment with Moringa Oleifera
Rapid and slow mixing of coagulant with the water to be treated are the steps in the process of coagulation-flocculation. There are several factors, both physical and chemical, which influence the process of coagulation- flocculation. Design criteria suggest that the principal parameters of rapid mix and slow mix for the purpose of design and functional evaluation are velocity gradient and time of mixing. The shape of the mixing unit and the baffles into it also affect the process of coagulation-flocculation. Also the turbidity and nature of turbidity have influence on effective turbidity removal. The experiments were performed to study the significance of type of turbidity, shape of mixing unit and the baffles into it, velocity gradient and time of mixing on turbidity removal. The herbal coagulant Moringa oleifera and its various forms were used in the study. The experiments were performed using two types of clay turbidities with 50 NTU, 150 NTU and 450 NTU turbidity value. The circular baffled jar was found to be most efficient for turbidity removal. The rapid mix velocity gradient of 720 s-1 and slow mix velocity gradient of 90 s-1 gave the maximum turbidity removal efficiency.
Milind R. Gidde and Anand R. Bhalerao
Advanced Oxidation Processes for Wastewater and Effluent Treatment - An Insightful and Far-reaching Overview
The vision of water treatment technologies is moving towards a new generation of science and technology. Wastewater and effluent treatment has undergone innovative and drastic changes over the years. Traditional wastewater treatment has yielded to modern and ground -breaking procedures which are more ever reaching and effective. The world of difficulties and hurdles has opened up new avenues to highly feasible effluent treatment procedures. So the vigorous and urgent importance of advanced oxidation procedures. This review will delineate and describe the increasing importance of various advanced oxidation processes including ozonation of textile wastewater. It will open up wide avenues for increasing visionary importance. Advanced oxidation processes (AOP’s), which involve and includes the in-situ generation of highly potent chemical oxidants such as the hydroxyl radical, have emerged as an important avenue of technologies to accelerate the non-selective oxidation and thus the destruction of a wide range of non-degradable organic contaminants in wastewater which cannot be eliminated biologically. This review will delineate the difficulties and hurdles of advanced oxidation processes of wastewater particularly textile industry wastewater. Actually, recently, an increasing application of various AOP’s for textile wastewater has been observed in contrast to traditional treatment methods. So our urge and conscience to investigate this domain of knowledge. A holistic and summarized view of the advanced oxidation processes is deliberated and delivered with scientific rigour.
Sukanchan Palit
Studies on the Seasonal Variation of Incidence of Typhoid and Paratyphoid Fevers in Akola City
Effect of seasons on typhoid infection was studied by using Widal as diagnostic tool for detection, with the cut of titre 1:160. Three years study of typhoid and paratyphoid infections in Akola was studied in 11 hospitals, one government and 10 private hospitals. Seasonal variation of Widal positive patients above titre 1:160 and 1:320 shows that in private hospitals maximum cases were in monsoon, as in private hospitals cases from civil areas were more so only seasonal onset was noted, while in government hospital from summer to monsoon maximum cases were noted, where cases from slum areas were maximum. Month-wise study of total patients from Akola city shows that maximum patients were noted in the end of summer and in rainy season i.e., in May, June and July.
Varsha H. Dethe and Y. A. Ali
Assessment of Physico-Chemical Characteristics of Groundwater in Chennai
The present work is aimed to analyse physico-chemical characteristics of groundwater in a part area of Chennai, where agriculture is the main livelihood of rural and urban people and the groundwater is the main source for irrigation and drinking. It is noted that in Tamil Nadu, there is evidently much dependence on groundwater due to scarce surface water. Overexploitation of groundwater might lead to complex environmental situation. Hence, a thorough investigation of quality parameters is necessary to ensure the potability of water. The area taken for study purpose is Karayanchavadi which is a part of Chennai in the vicinity of Bay of Bengal. Groundwater samples were collected from 30 wells in the study area and analysed for pH, EC, TDS, TA, TH, Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, Cl-, SO4-2, NO3- and F-. A comparison of the groundwater quality in relation to drinking water quality was made. It was found that pH of all the samples was neutral to slightly alkaline. Fluorides, iron and calcium of 90% samples were within the permissible limits. Total dissolved solids, total hardness, sulphate and magnesium of all the samples were within the permissible limits.
K. Dhanasekar and P. Partheeban
Studies on Groundwaters of Mysore City with Special Reference to Fluoride Concentration
A two-year study of the seasonal variations in fluoride concentration was carried out from November 2006 to October 2008 in the groundwaters of Mysore city with five zones. The fluoride concentration in the water samples of east and west zones showed significant seasonal changes during both the years. However in north, south and central zones, fluoride concentration did not establish any variations in both the years. The highest fluoride value of 0.46 mg/L was recorded in the west zone and the lowest of 0.22 mg/L in the east zone. The probable causes for such variations in fluoride concentration in these groundwater samples have been discussed.
C. Nagalambika, S. Mahadeva Murthy, T. S. Harsha, N. Lakshmidevi
Groundwater Quality Assessment of Bhaskar Rao Kunta Watershed, Nalgonda District, Andhra Pradesh, India
Semi-arid region of Bhaskar Rao Kunta watershed was studied to evaluate hydrogeochemical characteristics of the fractured, semi-confined and water-stressed aquifers. Twenty groundwater samples were collected from deeper bore wells during pre and post monsoon seasons in June and December 2009. The samples were analysed for concentration of physico-chemical parameters (pH, EC, TDS, TH, Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, HCO3-, SO42-, Cl-, NO3- and F- ). The results were interpreted with Piper, Gibbs and Wilcox diagrams. For interrelationships, the parameters were measured with correlation matrix and t-test methods. bureau of Indian Standards specifications were used and verified for suitability of groundwater quality. The type of the groundwater quality was understood from the interpreted diagrams of Piper (85% magnesium bicarbonate and 15% mixed type of samples), Gibbs (100% evaporation type samples) and Wilcox (85% high salinity and 15% moderate salinity type of samples). The highest correlation was found between EC and TDS with a correlation coefficient of 0.98 and the t-test behaviour was not significance, therefore, the geogenic and rock water interaction was negligible with respect to seasonal variation. Due to high concentration of fluoride (<1.5mg/L) and salinity (750 £ 2250 µS/cm), the groundwater quality was not suitable for drinking, and special drainage system and crop practices are requisite for irrigation purpose in the study area.
K. Srinivasa Reddy, M. Sudheer Kumar and Ajay Babu Gangidi
Monthly Variation in the Density of Drawida willsi (Michaelsen) in Relation to Some Climatic and Edaphic Factors
Fluctuation of population density of the earthworm Drawida willsi (Michaelsen) in relation to some climatic and edaphic factors was assessed from a tropical cropland agroecosystem site at Ranchi for a period of eighteen months. The total density ranged between 75 ± 25.49 (April 2010) to 2115 ± 189.87 m-2 (August 2010). Of the various factors studied rainfall, relative humidity, soil moisture, organic carbon and nitrogen content of the soil showed a significant positive correlation with the total earthworm density. Moisture content of the soil was considered to be the most important single factor responsible for the population fluctuation of the earthworm.
Rohit Srivastava, D. K. Gupta and M. P. Sinha
Remote Sensing Cum GIS Based Assessment of Morphometric Characteristics of Chittar Basin in District Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, South India
The use of the drainage morphometric characteristics for the investigations relating to hydrology has been amply discussed in various studies. The realization of its importance has made the analysis of drainage morphometric characteristics studies related to hydrological studies. The morphometric analysis of Chittar River Basin (CRB), a fifth order sub basin of Vamanapuram River on the south west coast, has been studied using Arc Info GIS software. The drainage patterns of the basin are delineated using IRS IC LISS III data and SOI toposheets on 1:25,000 scale as reference. The drainage pattern of the study area is dendritic with stream orders ranging from I to V. The different drainage parameters studied include drainage pattern, stream order, stream number, stream length ratio, relief ratio, bifurcation ratio, constant of channel maintenance, frequency of source head, frequency of confluence points, slope and DEM. The drainage density of the Chittar basin varies from 1 km/km2 to > 4 km/km2. Stream length ratios for different stream orders vary between 0.30 and 0.64, which are low to moderate and suggest the moderately resistant hard rock terrain. The bifurcation ratio of streams of different order of the basin varies from 3.21 to 5.00. The average bifurcation ratio for the Chittar basin is 3.94, which is near to 4, suggesting some structural control over the development of drainage basin. The relative relief of the basin varies from place to place and most of the basin comes under the category of 30-60 m. At some places relative relief is very high and it suggests rugged topography. It is concluded that Remote Sensing and GIS have been proved to be efficient tools in drainage delineation and updation.
G. Bindu, R. Neelakantan and Rajesh Reghunath
Effect of Harsh and Loud sound on Haematologic Parameters of Rat
Sound, a necessity of our daily life, when becomes noise, disturbs our health and routine. All major international health Organizations consider sound pollution as an important health problem. In this study, an animal model has been used to study the effects of noise (harsh and loud sound) exposure on is haematological composition. Twelve rats of about 200g by weight (6 male + 6 female) were randomized into two groups of test and control. Animals in the test group were exposed to a 90dB of noise for 90 days, while animals in the control group were kept in normal condition. By the end of the study, blood sample was taken from each animal in both the groups and a complete blood count was performed. In animals of the test group as compared to those in the control, there was significant increase in the number of red blood cells, white blood cells and haemoglobin content. It can be concluded that noise exposure affects blood haematological parameters.
Meetu Sinha and D. N. Sadhu
Biomedical Waste Management in Jodhpur City: A Case Study
Biomedical waste management in Jodhpur city was studied during August 2011 to January 2012. In Jodhpur city there are about 162 Govt. and private hospitals, labs and clinics. They generate an average of 600-650 kg/day of hazardous biomedical waste. The biomedical waste is dumped with municipal solid waste, which can be harmful for the environment. Biomedical waste is a serious problem to be solved as early as possible and this study will give a database of average per day biomedical waste generation with yellow bags 325-350 kg/day, red bags 5-10 kg/day, blue bags 30-35kg/day and black bags 225-250 kg/day. The total number of beds connected to common biomedical treatment facility centre is 4886. In this study we also found problems in collection and segregation of biomedical waste at hospital level and common biomedical treatment facility centre.
Anil Choudhary, Deepak Ojha and Mohan Lal Chowdhary
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