Archives Issues
Volume 8, Issue No 1, Mar 2009
Physico-Chemical Characteristics of Storm Water Flow Canal Under the Influence of Tides
Present study, conducted during low tide (Feb. 2007) and high tide (Apr. 2007), revealed that the tannery effluents after mixing with the sewage canals near Karaidanga changes the water chemistry of storm weather flow canal culminating into Bidyadhari river to a large extent with respect to conductivity, total alkalinity, total nitrogen and trace metals. The effect of dilution during high tide greatly reduces the concentration of these parameters downstream before mixing with Bidyadhari river.
Ashwani Wanganeo, Anand Shanker, Tapan Saha and P. Ghosh
A Prediction Model for Soil Salinity Using its Indicators: A Case Study in Southern Iran
South of the Zagros belt, the entire land of Southern Iran faces problems arising out of various types of land degradation of which soil salinity forms a major type. The Mond river basin, located centrally to this zone, has been selected as a test area to develop a statistical model for predicting the salinity of soil using different indicators of soil salinity. The soil salinity data were taken at 49 different samples in the study area. The data as indicators of soil salinity have been gathered from the records and reports published by the different departments of the Ministries of Agriculture, Defence and Energy of Iran. The GIS analysis of various indicators and salinity of soil samples considered proved useful for understanding their relationship in a statistical software. In the present study, the relations between the soil salinity and the indicators of soil salinity have been found statistically in the software of SPSS. To find a regression equation for soil salinity, max EC in 1 m depth of soil has been considered as dependent variable while the indicators of soil salinity including soil texture, water table, dry index, slope, index of efficacy of surface geology (ESG) and groundwater quality are considered as independent variables. For this purpose, the regression equations for two methods of ‘enter’ and ‘stepwise’ in software of SPSS have been established. The linear regression equations define the variations of the soil salinity depending on the indicators and also give an idea about the levels of relations. The results obtained show that the relations between the soil salinity and the indicators especially groundwater data do exist.
Masoud Masoudi and Elham Asrari
Quantification, Characterization and Leachate Analysis of the Municipal Solid Waste From Erode Municipality, Tamilnadu, India
The present study deals the sources, treatment and strategies for future management of municipal solid waste (MSW) in class I city Erode, Tamilnadu, India, which includes collection, segregation, transportation, treatment and disposal. The study also analysed and reported the existing waste treatment methods, which revealed the necessity for improvement and based on that suggested a suitable technology to improve the system thereby minimizing the associated environmental damage. Ground water samples were also collected in and around the solid waste dumping yard and analysed for their physico-chemical characteristics to ascertain the extent of groundwater pollution through leachate. The results revealed that concentration of most of the critical parameters (like hardness, BOD, COD, zinc, iron, etc.) exceeded the permissible limits, which requires the improvement of currently employed solid waste management system. The existing solid waste management practices such as open dumping and vermicomposting techniques are not only inefficient but also inadequate enough to manage huge amount of wastes generated daily. Hence, integrated solid waste management system comprising biomethanation, sanitary landfill, etc. is adopted.
N. Ramesh, T. Meenambal and K. Murugan
Effect of Alcoholic Extract of Phoenix dactylifera Spathe on Pituitary-Gonad Hormones in Adult Male Rat
The chemical composition of Phoenix dactylifera spathe including proteins, fibres, moisture, reducing sugar, none-reducing sugar, three kinds of coumarin, organic compounds of camphor family, phytosterols, and 1,2-dimethoxyl 4 methyl benzene. These chemical compounds have biological effects mainly antimitotic, estrogenic, anticancer, antidiabetic, antiobesity and antimutation. In the present paper effect of extract of Phoenix dactylifera spathe on spermatogenesis, and concentrations of LH, FSH and testosterone and histological changes in testis of rat were studied. The concentration of testosterone showed a significant decrease to different dosage of extract 0.5, 0.1 (g/kg) in comparison to the control and sham groups. In addition, histological studies showed a significant effect caused by the extract such as decreased density of spermatozoa in seminiferous tubules and disorders in spermatogenesis. So body weight and testis showed significant decrease in experimental groups relative to control and sham groups. Serum levels of LH and FSH did not show a significant difference in experimental groups relative to control and sham groups.
M. Mokhtari
Effect of Superoxide Dismutase and Catalase in Erythrocytes of Catfish (Heteropneustes fossilis Bloch.) Exposed to Cadmium
Effect of sublethal concentration of cadmium chloride (12 ppm; 10% of 96h LC50) in erythrocytes of catfish was studied for a period of 5, 10, 20 and 45 days. It was found that the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in red blood cells (RBC) significantly decreased after 5 and 10 days of cadmium exposure. However, the SOD activity increased after 20 and 45 days of cadmium treatment. Elevated activity of catalase (CAT) was found in erythrocytes of cadmium treated fish after 45 days. These results indicate oxidative stress and cell damage in the exposed fish.
M. V. Radhakrishnan and S. Hemalatha
Study of Phytoplankton Population from Water Resources of Jotiba (Wadi-Ratnagiri), Maharashtra
Phytoplankton population from different water bodies of Jotiba (Wadi-Ratnagiri), Maharashtra was studied. Jotiba is a religious place famous by the name of Lord Jotiba. Reports on physico-chemical properties as well as phytoplankton diversity in these water bodies are lacking. Hence, in present investigation an attempt has been made to provide the information on seasonal variation in phytoplankton species. The present study reports the dominance of group Chlorophyta. The index values indicate the status of water resources with diversity. The phytoplankton diversity is mainly influenced by seasonal conditions, rituals and anthropogenic activities in Jotiba.
S. B. Jadhav and N. S. Chavan (Mulik)
A Study on Bhitarkanika Mangrove Forest: A Sensitive Fragile Ecosystem
Out of 110 species of mangroves, identified on the globe, 63 species are found in Bhitarkanika. The mangroves support marine life of 60 genera and 64 species of microfauna, 34 genera and 55 species of meiofauna, 19 species of amphibians, 42 species of reptiles including the rare and endangered sea turtle, more than 200 species of birds, 60 species of mammals, and 6 species of marine mammals. Three hundred species of fishes and 229 species of crustaceans also inhabit this sanctuary. The wild animals such as leopard, cat, fishing cat, jungle cat, hyena, wild boar, spotted dear, sambar, porcupine, python, dolphin, king cobra, salt water crocodiles, water monitor lizard, terrapins, common mongooses, Indian field mouse, and Indian mole rat are living in this sanctuary. The water temperature of the sanctuary varied from 25°C to 32°C, and air temperature from 28°C to 36°C. The pH value ranged from 6.98 to 8.7. Salinity fluctuated from 9 ppt to 33.8 ppt. The dissolved oxygen ranged from 2.325 mg/L to 7.250 mg/L, carbonate alkalinity from 25 mg/L to 60 mg/L, and bicarbonate alkalinity from 65 mg/L to 120 mg/L.
Lakshman Nayak, Durga Prasad Behera, Rupanita Mohapatra and Digambar Swain
Survey of Trace Metal Contaminants in Sediments of Kabini River in the Nanjangud Industrial Area, Mysore District
The Kabini river, a confluence of the Panamaram and Mananthavady rivers, originate from Wynad district of Kerala and flows into the Bay of Bengal. It is passing from the Nanjangud industrial area, which is known as a “toxic hot spot” due to the heavy loads of metals and organic compounds discharging from various industries, mostly settle down at bottom of the river. To determine metal content of the Kabini river sediments, five samples were collected along its main course. All the samples were analysed for six heavy metals (Cd+2, Cr+3, Cu+2, Pb+2 and Ni+2, Fe+3) and ten physico-chemical characteristics (pH, EC, water holding capacity, Ca+2, Mg+2, Na+, K+, Cl–, NH4+, % organic carbon). The highest levels of copper were detected in the industrial area point, while for chromium, it was in downstream site. The lowest amount of lead was determined in upstream locations, whereas nickel and iron were found in industrial area site. Total amounts of heavy metal contaminant, however, were below the maximum permissible limits.
Azadeh Taghinia Hejabi and S. L. Belagali
Effect of Mercury Exposure on Vigna unguiculata (Cowpea) Seeds
Vigna unguiculata (cowpea) seeds were grown under controlled environment in solution of mercury at different concentrations. The eco-toxicity of mercury on the seed germination, early seedling growth, metabolite level, enzyme activities and the uptake of heavy metal content in the seeds were tested. It may be concluded that the inhibition of germination, rate of germination and growth of seeds of Vigna unguiculata in response to mercury demonstrate that they are suppressed not only the protrusion of radical or delayed the germination but also retarded the growth. The seedling growth is more sensitive to heavy metal (Hg2+) in comparison to seed germination. Mercury treatment is potentially toxic to Vigna unguiculata root than shoot. Absorption depends on the ability of the root and may have an influence on synthesis of protein, carbohydrate, activity of enzyme and phenolic content, some of which can be enhanced, while others get inhibited. The sensitivity of Vigna unguiculata seeds in terms of biochemical changes and enzyme activities was remarkably noticeable. The results suggest that biochemical changes and enzyme activity in Vigna unguiculata plants is promising indicator of heavy metal toxicity. Vigna unguiculata assay should be further explored so that its value can be evaluated when more data are available.
P. Umadevi, N. Kannikaparameswari, S. Selvi and S. Murugan
Allelopathic Effects of the plant Celosia argentea L. on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Vigna mungo L.
Allelopathy generally refers to the inhibitory effects of plant species (the donor) on the germination, growth or development of another plant species (the recipient). Chemicals with allelopathic activity are present in different plant parts including leaves and fruits which have a potential as herbicides. The donor plants release allelochemicals into the environment through decomposition of plant residues, root exudates, leachates and volatilization. Accumulation of more allelochemicals from weeds in fields causes soil sickness and autotoxicity resulting in loss of crop yield. The present study has been conducted to examine the allelopathic effects of Celosia argentea L. on seed germination and seedling growth of Vigna mungo.
Archana Inamdar and A. B. Kamble
New Record of Muricanthus kuesterianus (Tapparone-Canefri, 1875) Family: Muricidae, from Palk Strait, Southeast Coast of India
The present study reported the occurrence of Muricanthus kuesterianus in the Palk Strait region of southeast coast of India as a first hand record. The detailed description of this species has been given with the comparison of its close resembled species Chicoreus virgineus.
C. Stella and C. Raghunathan
An Appraisal of the Groundwater Quality Status of Bangalore South District, Karnataka, India
The study aims to appraise water quality status of some selected areas of Bangalore south district. This has been done by collecting 90 groundwater samples, 30 samples from each of the three selected areas of Bangalore south, and subjecting them to a comprehensive physico-chemical analysis and interpreting the results as per the criteria laid down by the Bureau of Indian Standards for potability. The study indicated that 64.44 % of the water samples tested from the entire study area are nonpotable due the presence in excess of nitrates, total hardness, total dissolved solids and chlorides.
B. S. Shankar and N. Balasubramanya
Toxicity of Parathion to a Freshwater Fish, Channa gachua (Ham.)
The present research work is oriented to find out toxic effects of an organophosphate insecticide, parathion on a freshwater fish, Channa gachua. By following standard procedures for toxicity determination, it was found that 34.0, 33.0, 32.0 and 31.0 ppm of the parathion formed 24 h, 48 h, 72 h and 96 hours LC50 doses, whereas LC0 and LC100 doses were 21.0 and 35.0 ppm respectively showing toxic nature of the insecticide.
Sanjay Kumar Raju, D. N. Sadhu and Md. Noor Alam
Fish Biodiversity and Preferential Habitats of Fishes in Selected Stretch of Narmada River
The present study is aimed at assessing the existing fish fauna and their distribution pattern in River Narmada from Shahganj (Distt. Sehore) to Bandua (Distt. Hoshangabad), a stretch spread over 22 km in length, situated between 22°50’28” to 22°43’55”N and 77°36’ 46 to 77°47’48” E. The investigation reveals presence of a total 47 species belonging to 29 genera, 15 families and 6 orders. The family Cyprinidae was observed as the most dominant of all, constituting 48 % of the total fish population followed by Bagridae constituting 12 % of the total collection. The study also encompasses the identification of preferential fish habitats (pools, riffles, runs and substrate differentiation) by means of analysing abundance and frequency of different species of fishes.
Vipin Vyas, Vivek Parashar and Dinesh Damde
The Study of Water Quality of Ponnamaravathy in Pudukkottai District, Tamilnadu
Assessment of physico-chemical parameters of water in three places in and around Ponnamaravathy of Pudukkottai district was carried out. Water samples from bore-wells and open-pond were collected and analysed. The chemical quality was compared with the drinking water quality standards. Several parameters like pH, turbidity, electrical conductivity, chloride, sulphate, total hardness, alkalinity, total dissolved solids, dissolved oxygen and biochemical oxygen demand were analysed. The results indicate that groundwater quality in the study area is not suitable for drinking, but the pond water can be used after pretreatment.
P. Ramadevi, G. Subramanian, V. Pitchammal and R. Ramanathan
Assessment of physico-chemical parameters of water in three places in and around Ponnamaravathy of Pudukkottai district was carried out. Water samples from bore-wells and open-pond were collected and
Two major notorious landslides occur in the Bani-Basholi road in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir State. Among many other causes such as deforestation, high relief and brittle nature of rocks, the main cause of landslides revealed from the field investigation, was great water ingress present in rocks in the form of springs, nallas and snow cover by way of glaciers on top cliffs. Great water ingress is also confirmed by chemical analysis and also by thin section studies of sediments of both the landslides. The problem gets compounded during excessive rains when phyllite-slaty and quartzitic rocks develop shear joints, resulting in breaking apart big rock blocks from the main mass turning into huge scree material and finally getting accumulated on the road. For mitigation of the landslides restraining structures and shaft work at vulnerable points in the crown portion is needed. Trees with long roots in the watersheds and also vetiver grass should be grown in the whole belt from Bani to Kardoo as a soil binder to check mass wastage. Breast walls with weep holes along roadside from Bani to Kardoo are very much needed. Besides these measures for the two slides, a special method for the proper disposal of runoff in case of Kardoo landslide, where ingress of water is many times more than Bani, is suggested. Runoff in this method is disposed off by digging wells radially and correcting the same to the horizontal tunnels (Tunaki model).
Amita Fotedar and Anil Kumar Raina
Ipomoea carnea Jacq. for immobilization of solid wastes
Ipomoea carnea Jacq. (Family: Convolvulaceae) is an exotic weed distributed in tropical countries of Asia and America. In India, it is a common weed in the fields and has probably got introduced along with cultivation. General survey of vegetation showed that this species formed pure or mixed stands in practically all kinds of habitats common in an urban environment, revealing its wide ecological amplitude. Systematic study was undertaken to assess the range of tolerance of this species to various environmental stresses. Present paper reports the response of Ipomoea carnea to solid wastes containing heavy metals like copper. The morphological form of the plant, with very strong horizontal suckers, helps in its firm anchorage in different types of soils. This property and its natural assets, preventing its harvesting or grazing, are useful in its profuse growth on wastelands. Organic waste in soil helps in increasing its growth, in spite of the soil containing heavy metals like copper. Its capacity for gregarious growth at various unfavourable habitats is a pointer for its possible utility in greening such habitats which keep increasing with urbanization and industrialization.
S. A. Bhalerao and S. B. Chaphekar
Hydrogeochemical Studies of Kabini River Basin, Karnataka, India
The quality of ground water in the Kabini river basin, covering an area of 7040 sq km2 in Karnataka, has been studied based on the composition of one hundred sixty one borewell water samples. An attempt has been made to classify the ground water by various methods. According to Bureau of Indian Standards, 97% of the water samples in the study basin are within the desirable to permissible limit. 93% of the samples fall in C2-S1 class of USSL diagram. According to Wilcox diagram, 91% of samples fall within the excellent to permissible classes. In the Hill-Piper diagram, majority of the groundwater samples fall in the Ca, Mg-CO3, HCO3, and Na, K-CO3, HCO3 hydrochemical facies. This has been attributed to highly weathered and fractured nature of the basement rocks. By plotting on modified Hill-Piper diagram, it is found that majority of the samples have non-carbonate hardness with a salinity ranging from 2.5 to 23 epm. It is inferred that groundwater of the area has low sodium hazard and low to medium salinity. The range of dissolved components, the values of SAR and residual sodium carbonate indicate that 97% of the water samples of the basin are suitable for domestic, irrigation and industrial purposes.
D. Nagaraju and C. Papanna
Available Phosphorus and Potassium of Beach Sediments in Nagapattinam District, Tamil Nadu After Tsunami
Phosphorus and potassium are essential macronutrients required by all terrestrial plants for proper growth and function. Accordingly, P and K are often included in fertiliser regimes used to maintain vigorous and aesthetic residential landscapes. Present paper deals with the available phosphorus (P) and available potassium (K) of Tsunami affected and non-affected areas in Nagapattinam district.
M. Kamaraj and V. Karunakaran
Analysis of Water Quality Based on Total Dissolved Solids Along the Coastal Area of Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu
To ascertain the suitability of groundwaters for any purpose, it is essential to classify them depending upon their hydrochemical properties based on their TDS values. The groundwater of the area is freshwater except a few samples representing brackish water at Manakudi. Most of the groundwater samples are within the maximum permissible limit for drinking as per the WHO international standards. At the junction point, where Palayar and sea joins, the Echori effect was also studied and there is no such effect which affect the surface and groundwater properties. The TDS value of 2/3rd of the basin is below 500 mg/L indicating low content of chloride in groundwaters which can be used for drinking without any risk.
S. Bhagavathi Perumal and P. Thamarai
Survival and Growth Performance of Albizia procera: As Influenced By Fertilizers in Degraded Soil
The present investigation deals with the response of fertilizers on the survival and growth of 30 months old Albizia procera plantation raised on shallow, murrumy and gravelly soil. The height and radial growth of plant increased significantly with the application of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer singly or in combination with each other. Though, the response of phosphorus as a whole was found to be instrumental in enhancing growth of the plant, the nitrogen dose over 75g/plant applied in the form of urea adversely affected survival of the plant. Among 16 treatment combinations (four different phosphorus doses and four different nitrogen doses), the treatment combinations of 75g phosphorus and nitrogen each/plant was found to be best for survival and height of the plant. The maximum radial growth was obtained in the treatment combination receiving 75g/plant phosphorus and 50g/plant nitrogen. The Relative Economic Effectiveness (REE) due to different fertilizer treatments indicated that the REE for the best height growth was 75g/plant phosphorus and nitrogen each, whereas REE for the best radial growth was worked out under the treatment receiving 75g/plant phosphorus and 50g/plant nitrogen.
S. D. Sonkar
Studies on the Chemical Parameters of Grey Water Treated by Modified Rotating Biological Contactor (RBC)
In this paper, fundamental concepts of grey water reclamation and reuse are developed that include categories of water reuse and technological innovations for the safe use of reclaimed grey water. In general, grey water contains lower levels of organic matter and nutrients compared to ordinary wastewater; since urine, faeces and toilet are not included. The pilot plant combines biological treatment (RBC) with physico-chemical treatment (filter media that is stone, coal). The treated effluent from RBC was allowed to pass through three columns of filter connected in series. The experiments were run for two different filter media namely, granite stone and coal separately. The experiment was conducted for different influent substrate concentrations 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 reduction of pH, hardness, total dissolved solids, total Kjeldahl nitrogen, dissolved phosphates, total phosphorus, sodium, and boron than the rotational speeds of 4.5 and 6 rpm.
S. Syed Enayathali
Coagulation-Clarification of Turbid Coloured Water by Natural Coagulant (Moringa oleifera) Seed Extract
Performance of Moringa oleifera seed extract as primary coagulant and as coagulant aid with alum in clarification of turbid coloured water was examined and compared with the performance of alum. M. oleifera seed extract is effective as prime coagulant and as coagulant aid with alum. Compared with alum (residual filtrate turbidity 2 NTU and residual colour 3 TCU), it produces water with slightly higher residual filtrate turbidity (4 and 3 NTU) and residual colour (15 and 13 TCU), but the residual turbidity and residual colour are within the WHO drinking water guideline values for turbidity (5 NTU) and colour (15 TCU).
Malay Chaudhuri and Putri Sarah Aainaa Binti Khairuldin
A Correlation Study on Physico-Chemical Characteristics of Domestic Sewage
Urban environmental management is one of the most pressing issues as the urbanization trend continues globally. Among the challenges faced by urban planners is the need to ensure ongoing basic human services such as the provision of water and sanitation. The under-management of domestic sewage in many urban areas presents a major challenge. Prior to the selection of suitable treatment, the physico-chemical characteristics of domestic sewage have to be studied. From the city Chidambaram of Tamilnadu, domestic sewage samples were collected and analysed. Some of the parameters exceed the permissible limit for discharging in to surface waters prescribed by Central Pollution Control Board of India. A correlation analysis has been carried out among the parameters. The analysis is awfully realistic in wastewater management as well as safe disposal strategies.
K. R. Venkatesh, M. Rajendran and A. Murugappan
Water Quality Surveillance of Panchana Dam Irrigation Project, Karauli, Rajasthan
Water chemistry provides precious parameters to evaluate the environmental impact assessment of irrigation projects. The Panchana Dam is situated 12 km north to Karauli in the eastern part of Rajasthan. Panchana Dam site falls under the eastern gravelly/rocky plateau with outliers of Aravallis, and the total catchment area is about 621.60 sq. km and the command area is about 10606 ha. The climate of Panchana Dam area is almost semi-arid and comparatively milder with distinct winter, summer and rainy seasons. The summer season is from the middle of March to June, being extreme in the month of June. The present study revealed that the water has pH (7.6-8.3), electrical conductivity (260-300 µmhos), total dissolve solids (169-195 mg/L), phosphate (0.121-1.939 mg/L), total alkalinity (410-650 mg/L), carbonate alkalinity (20-100 mg/L), bicarbonate alkalinity (390-610 mg/L), total hardness (92-128 mg/L), calcium hardness (22.44-33.67 mg/L), magnesium hardness (69.56-90.33 mg/L), chloride (24.14 -28.4 mg/L), and acidity (2.0-4.0 mg/L). Water in Panchana Dam irrigation project (PIP) is influenced by hydrology and related factors, which cause variations in nutrients present in a particular time. PIP as wetland plays an important role to develop the favourable microclimatic conditions for biodiversity as a whole. The physico-chemical analysis of water samples from this area showed that the water is within the safe limits of drinking water quality. Seasonal variations in water quality are due to intrinsic and extrinsic factors of the aquatic system
Ambika Sharma and Subroto Dutta
Studies on Toxicity of Some Agricultural Chemicals to Tadpoles of Frog, Rana tigrina
The present investigation is aimed to study the toxic effects of three agro-chemicals, endosulfan, indofil and dhanusan-50 on the tadpoles of Indian bullfrog, Rana tigrina. By following standard procedure for toxicity determination, it has been found that 96 hr/LC50 value of endosulfan was 1.5ppm, whereas for that of indofil and dhanusan-50, it was respectively 6.5 ppm and 8.0 ppm showing that endosulfan was most toxic and dhanusan-50 was least toxic. Some remarkable changes in the behaviour of the tadpoles in the toxic media of all the three agro-chemicals were observed such as agitated movement, hyperexcitability, bending and looping of body, surfacing movement, muscular weakness and finally death. The loss of these fish-food organisms have consequent effects on the ecosystem because of interrelationship of the organisms in the sense of food chain, and this adverse situation is destined to have an impact on the prospects of fish yields from the contaminated water areas.
Md. Noor Alam, Sukant Sadhu and Vijaya Lakshmi
Pilot Plant Study on Combined Treatment of Kitchen Refuse and Domestic Sewage By Anaerobic Digestion
Poor management of kitchen refuse and similar garbages represent the most serious urban environmental and public health problem. Poor waste management has dire environmental and public health consequences. Public health-wise, the presence of waste in residential areas, markets, roadsides, etc. poses grave health hazards to people, in general, and children in particular. The kitchen refuse from hotels, big hostels and residential colonies can be effectively disposed off by anaerobic digestion. Pilot scale model of 500-litre capacity anaerobic digester was operated using kitchen refuse from the students hostel as a feed stock material. Digester performance was monitored by measuring daily pH and gas production. When the steady state was obtained, it was loaded with 1.08 kg total solids with 18 litres of domestic sewage. On the 17th day the steady state was obtained and it was started with a loading rate of 2.3 kg VS/m3 of digester volume and the gas production was 0.40 m3/kg VS/day at an HRT of 25 days. The digester performance was 87% TS reduction, 95% VS reduction, 75% of COD reduction with percentage of methane gas as 75%. The probable volume of biogas would be 6.6 m3/day if it is completely disposed with 50 kg at the rate of 0.4 m3/kg VS. This gas could serve 38 persons per day at the rate of 0.227 m3/person/day.
S. T. Ramesh, S. Jayanthi and R. Gandhimathi
Estimation of Water Losses and Savings at Some Organizations In Visakhapatnam Using Initial Water Balance Studies
Water auditing is very useful to estimate water losses and savings. Water audit identifies water uses such as sanitation, irrigation, heating and cooling process and maintenance of the distribution system. Unaccountable losses are investigated and areas are identified in which water use efficiency can be improved using alternative technologies or practices. A comprehensive audit can give the utility and detailed profile of the distribution system and water users, allowing appropriate management of water resources and improved reliability. It is an important step towards water conservation and linked with a leak detection plan that can save the utility of a significant amount of fresh water and time. Therefore, water supply balance studies are an important part of water auditing. The water supply balance studies were carried out for industries like Visakha Steel Plant, Visakha Port Trust and Visakha Diary, which are situated in and around Visakhapatnam city. The savings with reference to water quantity and money were estimated for various organizations. It was found from initial water supply balance studies that in VSP, the water that can be saved without any additional investment is 87.372 million gallons per day. This saves an amount of Rs. 0.9783 crore per day. It was also found that the water could be reduced up to 80% by using recycled water.
P. Srinivas, K . Satish Kumar and S. Bala Prasad
A Study of Fertilizer Application and Irrigation Effects on Nitrate-N Leaching in Paddy Crop Fields Near Cauvery River Basin - A Case Study
Fertilizer leaching affects farm profitability and contributes to nonpoint source pollution of receiving waters. The objective of the study was to evaluate nitrate leaching, i.e., nitrogen export for six application rates of inorganic fertilizer and two applications of cattle manure (A-50, B-75, C-150 D- 200, E-225 and F-350 GCM 150 and HCM 200 Mg/ha) from the irrigated lands in Mandya district near Cauvery basin (65.51% ha). Nitrogen (N) fertilization/application in the district was determined through interviews with local farmers for the years 2006, and NO3-N load in the plots was monitored during the irrigation period and non irrigation period. The most fertilized crop in the region was paddy. The moderate nitrogen fertilizer rates in fields A, B and C were able to completely cover the N needs of irrigated paddy. Low nitrogen fertilizer rate in field A with sufficient side dressing was best as it did not pollute the surroundings with nitrogen leachate and the crop yield was also good. In case of fields D and E, nitrogen fertilization was higher than N uptake for irrigated crops and indiscriminate use of fertilizer did not increase the paddy yield, in contrast the high fertilizer rate above the nitrogen crop need, produced highest risk of pollution to water resources due to higher nitrate concentrations in drainage. In the field F, the crop yield was not quite good as there was no side dressing which also produced risk to environment. In fields G and H, crop yield was good and also negligible pollution since only cattle manure was applied with sufficient side dressing.
Abida Begum, S. Hari Krishna and Irfanulla Khan
Toxicity of Lead on Biochemical Changes of Nitrogen Fixing Cyanobacteria, Aulosira fertilissima Ghose
The study was aimed to evaluate biochemical fate of Aulosira fertilissima when treated with different doses of PbNO3 which is the one of the sources of heavy metal of lead. Moreover, cyanobacteria, a group of prokaryotes, symbiotic, N2 fixing organism, ubiquitous in distribution and used as a biofertilizer in the paddy fields. The heavy metals not only destroy organisms but also kill the non-target cyanobacteria in paddy fields. Therefore, in the current study an attempt has been made to study acute toxicity of PbNO3 on biochemical changes like pigment contents, chlorophyll-a, b, total, phycobilins and carotenoids, metabolites- carbohydrates, proteins and phenols, and enzyme activity-protease and nitrate reductase of nitrogen fixing cyanobacteria Aulosira fertilissima Ghose when grown in BG11 media. Retardation of chlorophyll-a, b, total, phycobilin and carotenoids was observed in all the treatments of PbNO3 when compared with control as the days progressed. On the other hand, metabolites like carbohydrates, proteins and phenols also showed decrease in their content after 96 hours treatment of different doses. However, the present study revealed that there is a rise in protein content in 6 ppm, and phenol content in 12.0 ppm and 22.0 ppm. Besides, there was an inhibition in the nitrate reductase and protease activities with an increase in PbNO3 doses. Further, cyanobacterial species, Aulosira fertilissima could be considered for bioremediation processes due to their potentiality to tolerate up to 6.00 ppm of PbNO3 dose without any adverse effect, but proper studies are necessary for their practical reuse and development of heavy metal resistant strains.
J. I. Nirmal Kumar, Rita N. Kumar and Shweta Patel
Phycoremediation of Sewage Using Microalgae Chlorella Sp.
Phycoremediation is a novel technique that uses algae to cleanup contaminated soil and water. It takes advantage of natural ability of algae to take up, accumulate, and sometimes degrade constituents that are present in their growth environment. The present work deals with the study of remediation of sewage water using Chlorella, which is an alga, isolated from Kalapatti pond, Coimbatore. The remediation study was carried out in the sewage water collected from Thudialur municipal sewage. The physico-chemical and microbiological parameters like temperature, pH, turbidity, total solids (TS), total suspended solids (TSS), total dissolved solids (TDS), dissolved oxygen (DO), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total nitrogen, organic carbon (OC), chloride (Cl), hardness and calcium were analysed in raw sewage as well in treated sewage. Sewage water was diluted to different concentrations as 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%. The inoculum was taken in different concentrations for the study (10%-T1), (20%-T2). The work was carried out for a period of four months and the readings were taken for every fifteen days interval throughout the study. There was a high reduction in all the physico-chemical parameters except DO. The treated sewage was observed to be clear, but there was was no significant reduction in the microbiological parameters. The use of disinfectant after separation of the algae from treated sewage will be a complete treatment. Thus, the green algae Chlorella is effective in reducing the physico-chemical parameters of the sewage. The sewage after the treatment attained the ISO permissible limit. The treated water can be used for irrigation, fisheries, etc. The algae can be reused for further remediation process.
S. Kalaivani, A. Mahalakshmi Priya, S. S. Sudha and S. Balasubramaniyan
Studies on Effects of Flyash and Plant Hormones Treated Soil on Increased Oil Content in Seeds of Sesamum indicum
Sesamum is one of the most ancient cultivated crops in India. Sesamum (Family Pedaliaceae) is a genus of annual or perennial herb or occasionally shrub found in the warmer regions like Africa, Asia and Australia. About six species are recorded in India of which S. indicum is widely cultivated. In Chhattisgarh state there are many thermal power plants like NTPC, BCPP, CSEB, etc., which continue to discharge large quantities of flyash having alkaline nature. Soils of Chhattisgarh state are acidic (red, yellow). Soil acidity is responsible for Al3+ ion toxicity, which leads to reduced microorganism activity, and Mo and Zn deficiency. Al3+ ions affect plant growth in acidic soil inhibiting root length, uptake of nutrients and reducing crop yield. In plants, IAA and GA were used as growth hormones. Plant growth parameters were compared for plain and flyash and hormone treated soil.
Dhaneshwar Prasad Sahu, Dhanesh Singh, A. K. Mishra, Girish Keshker and Ashok Kumar Jangde
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