ID: 51097
Title: Late Holocene changes in hypoxia off the west coast of India: Micropalaeontological evidences
Author: R.Nigam, V.Prasad, A.Mazumder, R.Garg, R.Saraswati and P.J.Henriques
Editor: P.Balaram
Year: 2009
Publisher: Current Science, Vol 96, No 5, 10 March, 2009
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Benthic, dissolved oxygen, foraminifera, hypoxia, organic matter, rectilinear
Abstract: A study has been carried out to understand benthic foraminiferal and sedimentary organic matter characteristics under low dissolved oxygen conditions off the central west coast of India. Based on the strong correlation between the present-day abundance of rectilinear bi- and triserial benthic foraminifera (RBF) and low dissolved oxygen conditions in the northeastern Arabian Sea, the geologic extent of low oxygen zone off the central west coast of India, is inferred from a core collected from the shallow watr region. Persistently high relative abundance of RBF, large proportion of amorphous organic matter and protoperidinioid dinocysts throughout the time-span covered by the core that goes well beyond the beginning of human intervention, indicate that the eutrophication of coastal water and subsequent development of low dissolved oxygen conditions is a natural phenomenon that has been in existence even befor anthropogenic influence.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 51096
Title: Climate change and its impact on the Himalayan glaciers-a case study on the Chorabari glacier, Garhwal Himalaya, India
Author: Ravinder Kumar Chaujar
Editor: P.Balaram
Year: 2009
Publisher: Current Science, Vol 96, No 5, 10 March, 2009
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Climate change, geomorphology, glaciers, lichenometry, Little Ice Age
Abstract: Glaciers and small ice caps in temperate environments are sensitive indicators of the change in climate.Mountain glaciers provide a valuable tool for reconstruction of Holocene climate changes. The present work, thus, deals mainly with climatic change and its impact on the Himalayan glaciers based on the dating of lichens, developed on loops of moraines formed due to various stages of advance and retreat of the glacier. Here it has been shown that the date of the largest lichen on the loop of moraine that indicates the position of maximum advance of the glacier is 258 years. It shows the period when the Chorabari glacier started receding from the point of its maximum advancement in this part of the Himalaya. Earlier work in the Dokriani Bamak (glacier) has shown that the period of retreat in the respective part of the Himalaya is around 314 years. Research on various glaciers of the northern and southern hemisphere has shown that most of them started their retreat in the mid-eighteenth century,thereby indicating the end of the Little Ice Age maximum. These results suggest that climatic changes in the world started during early to mid-eighteenth century, though this needs further work for confirmation. There is every possibility that its effect was sensed first in the zone close to the equator by the north facing Himalayan glaciers such as the Dokriani Bamak.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 51095
Title: Climatic influence on radial growth of Pinus wallichiana in Ziro Valley, Northern Himalaya
Author: Santosh K.Shah, Amalava Bhattacharyya and Vandana Chaudhary
Editor: P.Balaram
Year: 2009
Publisher: Current Science, Vol 96, No 5, 10 March, 2009
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Blue Pine, climatic influence, radial growth, tree ring
Abstract: An attempt has been made here to study the climatic influence on variation of tree-ring width (radial growth) of Blue Pine (Pinus wallichiana A.B.Jackson) growing in five different sites in and around Ziro Valley, Arunachal Pradesh, Northeast Himalaya. The site chronologies have ben evaluated to assess inter-site differences through several statistical analyses, viz. correlation matrices, principal component and hierarchical cluster analysis. Analysis of tree growth-climate relationship suggests that the pre-monsoon precipitation (December-April) is a significant factor influencing the growth of Blue Pine in all these sites.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 51094
Title: Present state of the three tidal inlets of the Pulicat Lake: facts from remote sensing and field surveys
Author: Rajeev Upadhyay
Editor: P.Balaram
Year: 2009
Publisher: Current Science, Vol 96, No 5, 10 March, 2009
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: None
Abstract: None
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 51093
Title: Avian biology
Author: Vinaya Kumar Sethi, Dinesh Bhatt and Amit Kumar
Editor: P.Balaram
Year: 2009
Publisher: Current Science, Vol 96, No 5, 10 March, 2009
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: None
Abstract: None
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 51092
Title: Spatial pattern of methane emissions from Indian livestock
Author: Abha Chhabra, K.R.Manjunath,Sushma Panigrahy and J.S.Parihar
Editor: P.Balaram
Year: 2009
Publisher: Current Science, Vol 96, No 5, 10 March, 2009
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Enteric fermentation, livestock census, manure management, methane emission coefficient
Abstract: Methane is an important greenhouse gas which significantly contributes to global warming.Livestock is a major anthropogenic source of methane emission from agriculture. India possesses the world ' s largest livestock population of 485 million, with a high degree of diversity in its composition. Among the livestock categories, cattle dominate with 38.2% followed by goat (25.7%), buffalo (20.2%), sheep (12.7%) and others (3.3%). The detailed state/district-level methane emission inventory by age-groups, indigenous and exotic breeds of different livestock categories was estimated using the country-specific and Indian feed standard-based emission coefficients and recent livestock census 2003. The total methane emission from Indian livestock, which includes enteric fermentation and manure management, was 11.75 Tg for 2003. Enteric fermentation accounts for 10.65 Tg (~91%) compared to 1.09 Tg (~9%) by manure management. Dairy buffalo and indigenous dairy cattle together contribute 60% of the total methane emission. The three high methane emitter states are Uttar Pradesh (14.9%), Rajasthan (9.1%) and Madhya Pradesh (8.5%). The detailed district-level spatial analysis in GIS environment resulted in the identification of clusters of districts with high emissions. Among these, Mednipur District (West Bengal) reported the highest total methane emission of 0.12 Tg. Using the remote sensing -derived livestock available feed/fodder area, the average methane flux from Indian livestock was computed as 74.4 kg/ha.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 51091
Title: waterlogging tolerance: nonsymbiotic haemoglobin-nitric oxide homeostatis and antioxidants
Author: R.K.Sairam , D.Kumutha and K.Ezhilmathi
Editor: P.Balaram
Year: 2009
Publisher: Current Science, Vol 96, No 5, 10 March, 2009
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Anaerobiosis, nitric oxide, non-symbiotic-haemoglobin, oxidative stress, waterlogging
Abstract: Waterlogging is a serious problem which affects crop growth and yield in low-lying, rainfed areas. Most of the rainy-season crops, especially legumes, and to a lesser extent maize and rice are affected by flooding leading to hypoxic or even anoxic conditions. Lack of oxygen shifts the energy metabolism from aerobic mode to anaerobic mode, which in turn adversely affects nutrient and water uptake; so the plants show wilting even when surrounded by excess water. Gaseous plant hormone ethylene plays an important role in modifying the plant ' s reponse to oxygen deficiency. Plants normally adapted to growing under waterlogged conditions have mechanisms to cope with this stress in the form of aerenchyma formation, increased availability of soluble sugars, greater activity of glycolytic pathway and fermentation enzymes. Both alcoholic and lactic acid fermentation help in maintaining lower redox potential (low NADH/NAD ratio), and thereby play an important role in anaerobic stress tolernace. Other important biomolecules which are induced under waterlogging, are nonsymbiotic haemoglobins and nitric oxide. Interaction of nonsymbiotic haemoglobins and nitric oxide has been suggested as an alternative to the fermentation pathway, which also rules out the production of toxic alcohol and lactic acid, the latter being the major cause of cytoplasmic acidosis. Waterlogging stress also results in the production of reactive oxygen species, and induction of antioxidant defence enzymes. Waterlogging-induced production of ethylene,H2O2 and NO is also involved in signalling and induction of various defence-related genes leading to synthesis of proteins/enzymes imparting hypoxia tolerance.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 51090
Title: Natural groundwater recharging ponds :struggle for survival
Author: A.K.Vashisht, S.R. Varshisht
Editor: P.Balaram
Year: 2009
Publisher: Current Science, Vol 96, No 5, 10 March, 2009
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: None
Abstract: None
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 51089
Title: Biofuels:concern about substrate selection
Author: Sudhir Syal, Mamta Kumari
Editor: P.Balaram
Year: 2009
Publisher: Current Science, Vol 96, No 5, 10 March, 2009
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: None
Abstract: None
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 51088
Title: Nanoscience and nanotechnology:ethical, legal, social and environmental issues
Author: Debasmita Patra, Haribabu Ejnavarzala and Prajit K.Basu
Editor: P.Balaram
Year: 2009
Publisher: Current Science, Vol 96, No 5, 10 March, 2009
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Benefits and issues, nanoscience and nanotechnology, regulatory mechanism, risk
Abstract: The present article attempts to understand the debate over nanoscience and nanotechnology regarding its potential benefits to the society. One view in this debate is that nanoscience and nanotechnology has a revolutionary potential and will have significant economic benefits, while the other view is skeptical about its potential in the context of ethical, legal, social and environmental (ELSE) issues and values such as equity and justice. In some developed countries, discussion on the ELSE issues of nanoscience and nanotechnology has already begun. Hence, there is a need to take a cue from the debate in the developed contries and focus our attention on these issues in the Indian context. The ELSE issues should be addressed right from the beginning of the development of nanoscience and nanotechnology, so that it is possible to make informed policy decisions.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 51087
Title: Monitoring bird diversity in Western Ghats of Kerala
Author: J.Praveen and P.O.Nameer
Editor: P.Balaram
Year: 2009
Publisher: Current Science, Vol 96, No 10, 25 May, 2009
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Reserve forest, Protected area, Southern Western Ghats
Abstract: This communication elaborates a case study in Kerala, where 61 surveys have been conducted from 1990 to 2008 in 21 protected areas and reserve forests in the southern Western Ghats for monitoring bird fauna using the amateur bird-watcher network. Four different methodologies have been used in these surveys, with encounter-based transects being the most common. A significant result of these surveys is in identifying the relative conservation value of these forest areas in protecting endemic and threatened avifauna.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 51086
Title: Study of the Salem-Attur shear zone , east of Salem, Tamil Nadu: a new kinematic interpretation
Author: T.K.Biswal, V.Thirukumaran, Kamleshwar Ratre and K.Sundaralingam
Editor: P.Balaram
Year: 2009
Publisher: Current Science, Vol 96, No 10, 25 May, 2009
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: mylonites,shear zone
Abstract: A study of the mylonites of the Salem-Attur shear zone at Udayapatti and Sarkar Nattar Mangalam reveals that the shear zone developed in the form of a north easterly vergent subhorizontal thrust which has been refolded into variable attitude due to late stage folding. The subhorizontal mylonitic foliation with NE trending stretching lineation bears testimony to such an explanation. The earlier impression that the shear zone is vertical comes from the folded part of the thrust as the mylonites have assumed a vertical attitude on the limb of the fold.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 51085
Title: A special core liner for sub-sampling of aqueous sediments
Author: Anil B.Valsangkar
Editor: P.Balaram
Year: 2009
Publisher: Current Science, Vol 96, No 10, 25 May, 2009
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Aqueous sediments, gravity corer, special core liner, sub-sampling
Abstract: A portable and reusable special core liner(spcl) has been developed to accomplish real-time sub-sampling of aqueous sediments. Besides being revolutionary, inexpensive and user-friendly, the spcl is capable of collecting undisturbed sediment sub-sections. The spcl also facilitates rapid sub-sampling of sediments on-board with remote possibility of core shortening, sample outflow, contamination or mixing. The proposed method of sub-sampling by spcl saves time, money and manpower, without inducing changes in the physical and biogeochemical properties of the sediments.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 51084
Title: Study of quartz grain surface texture by electron microscopy- a tool in evaluating palaeoglacial sediments in Uttarakhand
Author: Anil K.Mathur, V.P.Mishra and Jaya Singh
Editor: P.Balaram
Year: 2009
Publisher: Current Science, Vol 96, No 10, 25 May, 2009
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Palaeoglacial sediments, quartz grains, scanning electron microscope, surface texture
Abstract: The scanning electron microscope (SEM) study of microtextures in quartz grains in India is still in infancy and restricted mostly to the placer or beach sediments. SEM study of micromorphology of quartz grains from Late Pleistocene-Holocene sediments in Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand, has been taken up for understanding the depositional environment. In the Netal section the quartz grain micromorphological studies indicate basal part of a valley glacier environment or remnant glacial lake, as the quartz grains are angular with high silica deposition besides other imprints of glacial origin. In the Shiror section the sediment appears to be part of teh glacial till. The present study provides a new approach to the much needed palaeoenvironmental evaluation of the Himalayan Quaternary sediments on a nanoscale.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 51083
Title: A simple procedure for slow growth maintenance of banana (Musa spp.) embryogenic cell suspension cultures at low temperature
Author: V.M.Kulkarni and T.R.Ganapathi
Editor: P.Balaram
Year: 2009
Publisher: Current Science, Vol 96, No 10, 25 May, 2009
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Banana, cell suspension, embryogenic callus, low temperature, Musa, slow/suspended growth
Abstract: Although earlier banana cell suspensions have been cryopreserved for the purpose of germplasm consevation, for routine work it is desirable to develop a simple method of maintaining the cell suspensions under slow/suspended growth, from which actively growing cultures can be retrieved quickly. Experiments were hence conducted to develop a method for slow growth maintenance of embryogenic cell suspension cultures without losing their regeneration potential. The embryogenic cell suspensions of banana cultivars Rajeli and Rasthali were maintained at different temperatures (37oC, 25oC, 15oC and 8oC) for studing the growth parameters. The suspensions of both the varieties maintained at 37oC showed necrosis and turned brown , whereas at 25oC, 39-fold (cv. Rajeli) and 18-fold (cv. Rasthali) increase in the cell mass was noticed within 49 days. Substantially slow cell growth of 4.5-fold (cv. Rajeli) and 4.6 -fold (cv. Rasthali) could be attained at 15oC. A temperature of 8oC suspended the growth of the cells and a constant settled cell volume was maintained for over 49 days corresponding to seven subcultures. Morphologically, normal plants were regenerated from the cells maintained at 25oC, 15oC as well as 8oC and were hardened in the greenhouse. It has been revealed that the banana cell suspensions can be maintained without subculturing at 8oC for over 4 months.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None