Lake 2008 - Conservation and Management of Lake and River Ecosystems

Theme 7 : Pollution: Water – consequences and remedial measures
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Sustainability and Nutrient lock up in Varthur Lake, Bangalore

Mahapatra DM, Chanakya HN and Ramachandra TV
Centre for Sustainable Technologies
Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore
durgamadhab@cst.iisc.ernet.in

Nutrients such as C, N and P play a vital role in the growth and development of several micro-and macro organisms. The wetland systems such as Varthur lake in Bangalore, albeit being man-made, firstly create a good water balance in the neighbourhood and also act as sink for the pollutants from anthropogenic sources. In peninsular India, it has been traditional to hold runoff rainwater in manmade water bodies called tanks or lakes for later use especially during the dry periods. Greater dependence on ground water has exhausted ground water supplies and we will need to return to surface waters where these above lakes will be important. With increased urbanization, these water bodies are  increasingly receiving sewage as a secondary water and are reaching levels of nutrients well above safe limits and often even have become eutrophied.  As catchments have dwindled, sustainable use of these water bodies dictates that in future there will be a need to sustain such water bodies in the vicinity of urban and peri-urban areas with the use of both, surface run off during rainy season as well as sewage to meet the short fall.  We have examined Varthur lake in this perspective. Varthur lake has received sewage for over 50 years and today receives about 40% of sewage discharge from the city of Bangalore.   Sewage brings in large quantities of C, N and P.  As the lake also functions as a treatment lagoon, a predominant anaerobic decomposition in the upper reaches of the lake reduces oxygen in the water to 0 mg/L and also brings in some extent of anaerobic sludge.  As it flows towards the outlet with about 5-7d HRT, it begins to be aerated and a second type of sludge is formed and settles closer to the outlets.  In this study we have characterized the sludge at the lake bottom as a function of the residence time and it shows interesting trends.  The tank has been heavily silted and as a result the water storage is quite low compared to its original capacity.  Much of the sludge collected at various points in the lake is significantly organic.  The quality of the sludge improves as it nears the outlet.  The water quality is seen to pass criteria of a conventional treatment system and is therefore the tank may be considered to perform a useful function.  The paper presents the results of sludge found at various locations as well as water quality and brings out the threat to sustainability.

Theme 7 : Pollution: Water – consequences and remedial measures
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Microbial assessment of Madiwala – a rejuvenated lake in Bangalore urban district.

Anupama B1, Jumbe AS2, Nandini N3
1PhD Research Scholar, Department of Environmental Science, Bangalore University, Bangalore
560056
2PhD Research Scholar, Department of Environmental Science, Bangalore University, Bangalore
560056;
Email: aboud.jumbe@gmail.com.
3Reader, Department of Environmental Science, Bangalore University, Bangalore 560056
Email: nandini.sai@rediffmail.com.

The main objective of this study was to measure the level of fecal contamination in Madiwala Lake using several different techniques of E.Coli estimation and confirmation. The golden green colonies of coliforms with metallic sheen showed a luxuriant growth at 35C with M-Endo Agar. The growth of both E. Coli and Enterobacter aerogens using M-Endo Agar Plate was also luxuriant at 35C Temperature. But E. aerogens colonies were pink and mucoid while that E.coli varied  from Pink to Rose-Red with metallic sheen. The MPN Index of 100 ml of the lake sample was found to be 38. Water is generally considered safe for drinking if it contains fewer than 4 coliforms /100 ml. It is also considered safe if it contains less than 2 Enterococcus bacteria colonies /100ml of a sample.These observations indicate that environmental status of Madiwala Lake with respect to microbial pollution is continuing to deteriorate. The presence of lethal pathogens such as E.coli in the lake are at dangerous and epidemic levels.

Theme 7 : Pollution: Water – consequences and remedial measures
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Heavy metal contamination of selected aquatic macrophytes in two distinct seasons: a case
study of Varasda wetland, Gujarat, India.

Manishita Das1, Nirmal Kumar JI 1 and Rita NK2
1Department of Environmental Science and Technology, Institute of Science and Technology for
Advanced Studies and Research (ISTAR), Vallabh Vidyanagar, Anand – 388120, Gujarat, India
2Department of Biosciences and Environmental Sciences, Natubhai V, Patel college of Pure and
Applied Sciences(NVPAS), Vallabh Vidyanagar, Anand – 388120, Gujarat, India
1email corresponding author: istares2005@yahoo.com

The heavy metal contamination of Cr, As, Pb and Cd from selected four native aquatic macrophyte species Nelumbo nucifera Gaerth, Typha angustata Bory & Chaub, Ipomoea aquatica Forsk and Hydrilla verticillata (L.f.) Royle, and their components (roots, stems, leaves, flowers) in comparison with sediment and water samples, during two distinct season i.e. summer and monsoon for the month June and October 2008, was carried out  in Varasda wetland, situated between 22º 33’ N latitude and 72º 38’ E longitude of Kheda dist, Central Gujarat, India. The details of the heavy metal concentration in the different plants components and their correlation have been discussed in this paper. The heavy metals in studied plant samples could be arranged in a decreasing order based on their contents as follows: Root system > Shoot system > Leaf system> Flower. Moreover, the mean concentration values of the elements in the plants declined according to this sequence: Cr > Pb >As > Cd, in both the seasons.. During summer N. nucifera shown the maximum accumulation of Cr, similarly T. angustata of As and I. aquatica of Pb. This trend however changed in the monsoons.

Theme 7 : Pollution: Water – consequences and remedial measures
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Studies on Restoration and Conservation Strategies for controlling Pollution level of Kaveri River in Thanjavur District Tamil Nadu Using Biological Indicators and Remote sensing

Ramakrishnan N* and Anand PH**
*Department of Botany, Govt. Arts College (Autonomous), Kumbakonam ‐ 612001
**Department of Geography, Govt. Arts College (Autonomous), Kumbakonam ‐ 612001
Corresponding author : *nrk57@rediffmail.com

The present study area of Kaveri (also spelled Cauvery or Kavery) River is situated in Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu (between 9 º 50' and 11 º 25' of the north latitude and 78 º 45' and 70 º 25' of the East longitude). The knowledge about the biodiversity of river along with its present conservation status will help in the wise use of this river, enabling in their sustainable utilization, for the benefit of humankind in a way compatible with the maintenance of its natural properties. Basic information about its biological diversity and integrity, factors influencing their variety and variability, ecological contents and complexes will develop environment sensitive behaviors.
Biological assessment and monitoring of its resources is necessary for understanding the pollution level. The biotic components that support rich biodiversity which includes the phytoplankton, zooplankton, macrophytes, fishes, macro‐invertebrates and birds are under threat in most of the rivers and its adjacent water bodies due to anthropogenic pressure as well as point and non‐point source of pollution.
From the basic biological data various pollution indices like Saprobic index, Nyggard's index, Palmers’ algal pollution index, biological index and Shannon‐Weiner index were calculated to quantify the quality of the water bodies. Results showed that the bio‐monitoring approaches in Kavery River produced many significant correlations indicating 32 of the 40 comparisons between biological pollution indices (5 kinds) were statistically significant (r > 0.416). The Nyggard's index and biological index were significantly correlated with all biological parameters (r>0.342). Shannon ‐ Weiner index was significantly (r > 0.325 and 0.345) associated with phytoplankton population density in all combinations.
The integrity of river ecosystem for its ability to sustain diversity, productivity, selfrepair and self‐organization can be preserved over time by ecological understanding and skillful actions. The foremost significance necessary to prevent degradation of river ecosystems is to maintain its biological integrity and health. Using remote sensing data in combination with Geographic Information System (GIS) are effective tools for river conservation and management. Remote sensing data are used for the analysis of water quality parameters and modeling. Water quality studies have been carried out using the relationship between reflectance, suspended solid concentration, and chlorophyll‐a concentration.
For restoration and management of river pollution proper awareness programmes and education about and for environment is applied to protect the river. The vast potentials of the rivers when used judiciously and sustainably will prevent the undesirable degradation of the river ecosystems. For successful implementation of sustainable development of the river systems, it is necessary to practice favoring steps and procedures like environmental status assessment, environmental impact assessment and environmental planning. Environmentalfriendly practices and environmental‐sensitive attitudes are the key for sustainable development of the river system.

Theme 7 : Pollution: Water – consequences and remedial measures
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Pollution Status and Conservation of Lakes in Coimbatore, Tamilnadu, India

Nishadh KA, Rachna Chandra* and Azeez PA**
Department of Environmental Sciences, Bharthiyar University,
Coimbatore‐641046, India
nishadhka@yahoo.co.in
*Environmental Impact Assessment Division,
Salim Ali Centre and Ornithology and Natural History (SACON),
Anikatty(PO), Coimbatore‐641108, India
rachnaeia@gmail.com
**Environmental Impact Assessment Division,
Salim Ali Centre and Ornithology and Natural History(SACON),
Anikatty(PO), Coimbatore‐641108, India
azeezpa@gmail.com

Economic development is accelerating the changes in the land use pattern and land-cover conversion almost throughout India at an unprecedented rate. Wetlands and lakes especially those situated in the vicinity of urban centres have been facing rapid degradation due to liquid or solid waste disposal, filling and reclamation, real-estate ventures and industrial development. Coimbatore, a rapidly developing city in the western part of Tamil Nadu, has several wetlands and lakes in and around its limits. This city wanting facilities for treatment of industrial, municipal, domestic and hospital waste has open drainage and sewerage systems which joining these lakes without any prior treatment. The present study undertaken in Coimbatore during May 2008 on four urban lakes / wetlands namely Ukkadam, Perur, Kurchi and Chinnakulam reports the water quality of these water bodies with reference to the pollution from various sources. The pH for water samples ranged between 7.64 and 8.62. EC and TDS ranged from 303.67 - 4456.7 μS/cm and 169 - 2079.3 mg/L respectively and were positively correlated with chloride and sulphate (P < 0.05). Ukkadam lake, surrounded by textile dyeing industries, municipal markets, dumped domestic wastes was the most polluted among the lakes studied. This lake receives sewage waste along with effluents from dyeing industries through various channels. In view of the findings, recognizing the various ecological services these wetlands offer to the city and its environs regular monitoring of disposal of solid / liquid wastes and sewage discharge is imperative for their conservation.

Theme 7 : Pollution: Water – consequences and remedial measures
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Determination of the Identity of Salmon Colored H2s Producing Colony Isolates from Fish and
Meat and their Characterization by Real‐ Time PCR

Pranav Garg1,2 , Ruth Witkowsky2 and Robert Levin2
1Food Science Summer Scholar, Biotechnology major, Amity University,
Noida, India
2Department of Food Science, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, USA

Shewanella putrefaciens (formerly Pseudomonas putrefaciens) is a spoilage organism in refrigerated foods and can be an opportunistic pathogen.  The objective of this work was to confirm the identity of 40 presumptive isolates from Cod and Haddock fillets. These S. putrefaciens isolates, both black and salmon colored, were picked from Peptone Iron Agar Plates and streaked for isolation onto Tryptic Soy Agar plates. The 40 isolates and 9 control strains (including P. putrefaciens p19x, S. Putrefaciens ATCC 8071, S. Oneidensis DLM- 7, S. oneidensis MR-1, S. Putrefaciens ft7, S. frigidimarina ATCC 1089 and beef isolates HB1, HB3, HB6) were subjected to 4 metabolic tests and 7 enzymatic tests. Motility was determined by microscopy. Results were compared and the number of presumptives was reduced to 20 by eliminating duplicates. Vitamin requirement studies performed with washed agar on the controls and final 20 cultures revealed that vitamins were not required for growth, however about 0.5% NaCl was required. All 29 cultures demonstrated the ability to grow in the range of 4-32°C. The majority of the isolates were found to resemble S. frigidimarina ATCC 1089 and P. putrefaciens p19x, but a few were similar to S. Oneidensis DLM- 7 and MR-1 in their growth requirements. This was confirmed by Real Time PCR using S. frigidimarina primers SFc3f and SFc3r and S. putrefaciens primers SP-1 and SP-2 which amplify the DNA from the isolates and controls.

Theme 7 : Pollution: Water – consequences and remedial measures
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Bioremediation of Domestic Waste Water of Thuraiyur Municipality

*Chakkaravarthy QA
Lecturer in Environmental Science,
St. Joseph’s College, Tiruchirappalli – 2
E‐mail: ac_borthy_ecology @ yahoo.co.in

The present study was aimed at using a simple model system for the treatment of Domestic sewage of Thuraiyur Municipality. In order to have a clear idea about the sewage water (S1), and Lake water (S2), the water samples were subjected to physicochemical and bacterial analysis.  Total heterotrophic bacterial population was found maximum in sewage water i.e. 2.2 × 105 / mL. Total coliforms and faecal coliforms was high in sewage water i.e.3.7 × 104 / mL, 1.6 × 103/100mL. More than 50% reductions of BOD and COD was observed after the treatment. Results indicated that Micrococci and Pseudomonas would be a better candidate for continuous treatment of sewage after screened to species level. Further studies required to scaling up the methods and transfer of technology in the Bioremediation process for the safe disposal of municipal sewage.

Theme 7 : Pollution: Water – consequences and remedial measures
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Wastewater treatment and management in urban areas A case study of Mysore city, Karnataka, India

Shakunthala Bai and Srikantaswamy S*
Department of studies in Environmental Science, University of Mysore,
Manasagangotri, Mysore‐570006, Karnataka, India

*Corresponding author
Effective collection and treatment of urban wastewater is a critical problem in a developing country like India. Three wastewater treatment plants at Mysore have been taken for the study. The untreated and treated urban waste water was collected seasonally during 2007-08 and analyzed in the laboratory with particular weight age for assessing their agricultural use with respect to water quality and heavy metal concentrations and the results were compared with irrigation water quality standards as per Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). However, TDS and BOD of the treated urban waste water remain well within the standards. The concentration of heavy metals (Cadmium, Chromium, Copper, Zinc, Iron, Lead, Nickel, in the untreated and treated waste water from all the waste water treatment plants were determined. The Cd, Ni and Cr were not detectable at any stage of the plants.  The concentration of Cu, Fe, and Zn were decreased by the treatment plant. The main aim of this study is to analyze the condition of wastewater treatment and management of the Mysore city. The results could be use for further treatment process and reuse of treated water for growing greens, vegetables and for agriculture.

Theme 7 : Pollution: Water – consequences and remedial measures
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Status of lakes before and after restoration – a case study on ulsoor, sankey,
hebbal & madival lakes of Bangalore, Karnataka

Pattusamy V1 and nandini N2
1. Central Pollution Control Board, Bangalore, Karnataka, India.
2. Reader and Principal Investigator, Dept. of Environmental Science, Bangalore University,
Bangalore‐56, Karnataka, India

The Lakes in Bangalore form a chain of hydrological connection through them. The flow of water runs from north to south-east as well as south-west along their natural gradient of their land. Central Pollution Control Board(CPCB) carried out water quality monitoring in few lakes in Bangalore. The lakes are Ulsoor, Sankey tank, Hebbal Lake and Madivala Lakes. Water samples were collected and analysed for physico-chemical parameters and Heavy metals. Sludge sample were collected and analysed for heavy metals. In some of the above lake samples analysis were carriedout before lake restoration, after lake restoration and present water quality status. Out of the 5 lakes analysed, Madivala and Ulsoor lakes are showing Phosphate value more than 30ug/L, algal blooms in excess and Nitrogen value exceeded 1500 ug/L which exceeds the standards of unpolluted lakes. Most of the Bangalore lakes are eutrophic in nature.