ID: 56962
Title: Seed predators of an old-world tropical deciduous tree (Terminalia bellirica: Combretaceae) in wet habitats of the Western Ghats, India
Author: Palatty Allesh Sinu
Editor: P Balaram
Year: 2012
Publisher: Current Science Association, Vol 102, No 3, 10 August 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Ratufa indica, seed predation, Terminalia bellirica, tropical plants, wet habitats
Abstract: In this study I assess the diversity of seed predators, intensity of seed predation, germination success and survival of germinated cotyledons of an old-world tropical deciduous tree (Terminalia bellirica) in wet habitats of the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot. Primary arboreal seed predators were Malabar giant squirrel (Ratufa indica) in evergreen forests and an unidentified weevil species (Curculionidae: Coleoptera) in wet evergreen forests and coffee agroforests. Kernel predation by weevils was higher in coffee agroforests (43.7%) compared to wet evergreen forests (25%). In both habitats, two terrestrial rodents, the Malabar Spiny Dormouse (Platacanthomys lasiurus) and an unidentified rat species (Rattus sp.) were the primary seed predators on the ground. Herbivory by ants resulted in low survival of germinated cotyledons in both habitats. Ants consumed a greater amount of germinated cotyledons in coffee agroforests compared to evergreen forests.
Location: TE 15, New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 56961
Title: A comparative study of deglaciation in two neighbouring basins (Warwan and Bhut) of Western Himalaya
Author: Rupal M Brahmbhatt, I M Bahuguna, B P Rathore, A V Kulkarni, H C Nainwal, R D Shah and Ajai
Editor: P Balaram
Year: 2012
Publisher: Current Science Association, Vol 102, No 3, 10 August 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Bhut, deglaciation, glacier, Warwan
Abstract: Glaciers of the Himalaya contribute significantly in the processes linking atmosphere, biosphere and hydrosphere, thus need to be monitored in view of the climatic variations. In this direction, many studies have been carried out during the last two decades and satellite-based multispectral data have been used extensively for this purpose throughout the world. The present study is aimed at mapping of glaciers in two adjacent basins (Warwan and Bhut) of the Western Himalaya with almost similar altitude and latitude and comparing the changes in the two time-frames with respect to three parameters, i.e. area, debris cover and area-altitude distribution of glaciers. The two time-frames are topographical maps of 1962 and IRS LISS III images of 2001/02. Deglaciation was observed in both the basins with 19% and 9% loss in the glaciated area in Warwan and Bhut respectively. This difference may be due to : (i) the smaller size of the glaciers of the Warwan Basin (e.g. 164 glaciers having < 1 sq. km area in comparison to 101 glaciers in the Bhut Basin), (ii) lower percentage of moraine cover in Warwan (18) than in the Bhut Basin (30) and (iii) higher percentage of glaciated area lying below 5100 m (80) in Warwan than in the Bhut Basin (70).
Location: TE 15, New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 56960
Title: Monsoon prediction: are dynamical models getting better than statistical models?
Author: Sulochana Gadgil and J Srinivasan
Editor: P Balaram
Year: 2012
Publisher: Current Science Association, Vol 102, No 3, 10 August 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: None
Abstract: None
Location: TE 15, New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 56959
Title: Nardostachys jatamansi DC. is at risk in the Himalayan region
Author: Vijay K Purohit, R S Chauhan, HarishC Andola, P Prasad, M C Nautiyal, A R Nautiyal
Editor: P Balaram
Year: 2012
Publisher: Current Science Association, Vol 102, No 3, 10 August 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: None
Abstract: None
Location: TE 15, New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 56958
Title: Irrigation scheduling Impact Assessment MODel (ISIAMOD): A decision tool for irrigation scheduling
Author: Henry E Igbadun
Editor: Prof Natarajan Gajendran
Year: 2012
Publisher: Indian Society for Education and Environment, Vol 5, Issue 8, August 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Indian Journal of Science and Technology
Keywords: Simulation model, irrigation scheduling, water management, crop water productivity, ISIAMOD
Abstract: This paper presents a process-based simualtion known as Irrigation Scheduling Impact Assessement MODel (ISIAMOD). It was developed to simulate crop growth and yield, soil water balance and water management response indices to define the impact of irrigation sheduling decisions. ISIAMOD was calibrated and validated using data from field experiments on the irrigated maize crop conducted in an irrigation scheme located in south western Tanzania. The model adequately simulates crop biomass yield, grain yield, seasonal evapotranspiration and average soil moisture content in the crop effective rooting depth. Some unique features of this model make it a major improvement over the existing crop-soil simulation models.
Location: TE 15, New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 56957
Title: Fixed bed column study for the removal of Zn(II) from aquatic
Author: Upendra Kumar
Editor: Prof V Subramanian
Year: 2008
Publisher: Capital Publishing Company, Vol 5, No 2, April 2008
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution
Keywords: Zinc, sodium carbonate treated rice husk (NCRH), adsorption, column study, breakthrough curve
Abstract: The fixed bed of sodium carbonate treated rice husk (NCRH) was used for the removal of Zn(II) from water environment. The NCRH was found to be a efficient media for the removal of Zn(II) from wastewater. The column having a diameter of 2 cm, with bed depth 10 cm can treat 2.28 litre of Zn (II) bearing wastewater with Zn(II) concentration 10 mg/l and flow rate 9.5 ml/min. A method has been shown to predict the theoretical breakthrough curve using the data obtained from the batch isotherm studies and theoretical breakthrough curve was compared with experimental breakthrough curve.
Location: TE 15, New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 56956
Title: Combined treatment of landfil leachate and domestic wastewater in submerged aerobic fixed film (SAFF) reactor
Author: Rahat Jahan Chaudhari, Farrukh Basheer and I H Farooqi
Editor: Prof V Subramanian
Year: 2008
Publisher: Capital Publishing Company, Vol 5, No 2, April 2008
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution
Keywords: Landfill, leachate, sewage, aerobic treatment, submerged aerobic fixed film (SAFF) reactor
Abstract: A number of methods have been employed for the treatment of landfill leachate. In the present study attempts have been made to treat landfill leachate in a sewage treatment plant so that existing sewage treatment plants can be ustilized for leachate treatment. A submerged aerobic fixed film reactor was employed for the study. The reactor consists of two compartments: the top one containing PVC media for the growth of biomass while the lower portion contains microorganisms under suspension. Diffused aeration was provided in the lower portion. The reactor was seeded with the digested sewage sludge obtained from Okhla sewage treatment plant, Delhi. A constant HRT of 24 hours was maintained throughout the reactor. Intially the reactor was fed with sewage and was operated for 30 days till steady conditions were achieved, the COD removal efficiency being 90%. Thereafter leachate was introduced with the sewage at dilutions of 3%, 5% and 8%. With the addition of 3% leachate the COD removal efficiency decreased to 75%. Further leachate addition at 5% dilution shows a decrease in COD removal efficiency to an average of 67% and finally a higher dilution of 8% shows a COD removal efficiency of 49%. During the entire study the suspended solids removal was 100%. The BOD remova efficiency was almost similar to that of COD removal efficiency.
Location: TE 15, New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 56955
Title: Self-Purification and rainfall events in a tropical rural catchment, Nigeria
Author: Ifatokun Paul Ifabiyi
Editor: Prof V Subramanian
Year: 2008
Publisher: Capital Publishing Company, Vol 5, No 2, April 2008
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution
Keywords: Sedimentation, contaminant, coagulation, precipitation
Abstract: This paper studies self-cleansing processes in an urbanized stream in a Nigeriancity. The stream under study took its source from a refuse heap in the Central open -place-city market and empties its water into a University Dam 15 kilometres away.
Twenty-seven water samples were taken from nine sample points, which were selected with distances downstreams and according to land use changes in the period before and after the 1st and the 2nd rainfall events. The results showed that some parameters decrease progressively with rain events while some equally increased progressively. The result of the Pearson moment product correlation showed that in the period before rainfall onsets five water parameters (Ca+, P, total hardness, suspended particles, NO-3 significantly decreased downstream from the source to the dam/site (downstream) while in the period after the 2nd rainfall event all the water parameters decreased in concentration downstream with seven parameters significantly decreasing (i.e. Na+ , Ca+ ,K+, Mg+ , P, NO3- and pH ). The overall results indicated that the processes of self -cleasing become more active with increasing rainfall events.
Location: TE 15, New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 56954
Title: Ecosystem aspects of arsenic poisoning: Human exposure to arsenic from food chain
Author: M Mahfuzur Rahman, M Azizur Rahman, H Hasegawa and M A Mazid Miah
Editor: Prof V Subramanian
Year: 2008
Publisher: Capital Publishing Company, Vol 5, No 2, April 2008
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution
Keywords: Arsenic, water, exposure, food chain
Abstract: Although the main source of arsenic to human body is ground water, the use of arsenic contaminated ground water for irrigation gives rise to the question whether arsenic uptake in crop plants could also be another potential pathway of human exposure to arsenic. Arsenic content in straw, grain and husk of rice is especially important as rice is the staple food for man and straw and husk have been used as cattle feed. It was estimated that the daily intake of arsenic in human body from rice (containing 0.40 mg As/kg, the highest concentration of arsenic found in the present experiment in treatment containing 40 mg As/kg soil) is 0.20 to 0.32 mg/day (as the average consumption of rice by the people above five years old between 400 and 650 gm/day) whereas it is 0.20 mg/day from drinking water (as the recommended safe level arsenic in drinking water is 0.05 mg As/l for Bangladesh and the average intake of water by an adult is about four litres). This finding suggests that arsenic intake in human body through rice could be a potential pathway in addition to drinking water. Therefore, a hypothesis have been put forward that the human beings have not been suffering from arsenicosis only from drinking water but also from "Plant -Animal-Man" and some other food chain pathways.
Location: TE 15, New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 56953
Title: Isotherm studies for heavy metal adsorption on rice husk
Author: S Mohan, R Gandhimathi and G Sreelakshmi
Editor: Prof V Subramanian
Year: 2008
Publisher: Capital Publishing Company, Vol 5, No 2, April 2008
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution
Keywords: Heavy metal removal, adsorption study, batch experiments, isotherm
Abstract: A number of methods for heavy metal removal from waste water have been used, but most have several disadvantages, such as continuous input of chemicals, high cost, toxic sludge generation or incomplete metal removal. The use of rice husk not only provides a less costly sorbent to activated carbon or synthetic ion-exchanger as it is cheap, but also available in abundant aquantity. Various modifications on rice husk have been reported in order to enhance sorption capacities for metal ions and other pollutants. The study reported in this paper deals with the adsorption of heavy metals such as lead (Pb), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn) and manganese (Mn) on the low cost adsorbents such as Rice Husk (RH) and Phosphate treated Rice Husk (PRH) from the synthetic solutions. Batch studies were conducted to find out the optimum dose of adsorbent, optimal pH and contact time for individual metal solution, both with RH and PRH. It was found that the equilibrium was attained after 30 min for Pb, 40 min for Cu and 50 min both for Zn and Mn and the maximum removal efficiency was attained at a pH of 6 for Pb, pH of 7 for Zn, Cu and Mn for the single metal solutions. The adsorption data could be fitted with Freundlich, Langmuir isotherm equation to find the characteristic parameters. It was found that linear form of Freundlich isotherm seems to produce a better model than linear form of Langmuir equation.
Location: TE 15, New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 56952
Title: Trace metal pollution in Estuarines of South India
Author: Muhamed Ashraf P, Leela Edwin and B Meenakumari
Editor: Prof V Subramanian
Year: 2008
Publisher: Capital Publishing Company, Vol 5, No 2, April 2008
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution
Keywords: Trace metals, water quality, estuaries, estuaries pollution
Abstract: Studies were conducted to determine the dynamics of heavy metals in selected stations of three major economically important estuaries of South India, viz., Vembanad, Ashtamudi and Veli. Heavy metals in the surface water of selected stations were analysed on monthly basis during April 2003 to March 2003. Significantly higher levels of copper and zinc were detected in most of the samples throughout the year. Trace levels of Cr, Cd, As, Sb, Se, Mn, Ni, V and Pb were detected and their occurrence was seasonal. The paper discusses in detail about the seasonal variations of different trace metals and the results revealed that these estuaries are less polluted.
Location: TE 15, New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 56951
Title: Thai ' s monitoring mechanism as a tool for pollution control
Author: Kanokporn Swangjang
Editor: Prof V Subramanian
Year: 2008
Publisher: Capital Publishing Company, Vol 5, No 2, April 2008
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution
Keywords: Environmntal impact assessment, industrial sector project, impact monitoring, post - EIS appraisal
Abstract: The research report in this paper focusses on environmental monitoring through a comparison of project for which Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is mandatory (paper production) and those for which EIA is not required (fish processing). The content of an EIS was found to be a key determinant in defining the monitoring procedures for projects requiring EIA. Generally, more comprehensive, an EIS results in extensive requirements for project monitoring. For non-EIS projects, monitoring provisions are more uniform and determined by other provisions, such as pollution control regulations. For both types of project, agencies are responsible for ensuring the performance of both projects that require EIA and those that do not. The resuls of study confirm that monitoring procedure for projects rquiring EIA are more satisfactory since EIS can supply the basic prescription of the project performance.
Location: TE 15, New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 56950
Title: Dissipation behaviour of spinosad insecticide in chilli and soil
Author: Anjali Sharma, Anjana Srivastava, Bali Ram and P C Srivastava
Editor: Prof V Subramanian
Year: 2008
Publisher: Capital Publishing Company, Vol 5, No 2, April 2008
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution
Keywords: Spinosad, persistence, dissipation, chilli, biphasic, phlc, soil pollution
Abstract: The persistence of Spinosad insecticide in chilli fruits was evaluated at two application rates ( 73.0 g a. i. /ha and 146.0 g a. i/ha) by high performance liquid chromatography. The dissipation of the insecticide from chilli fruits appeared to occur in two pahses. Each phase followed first-order kinetics. Half life values of Spinosad for the first and second phase on green chilli were found to be 1.48 d and 0.70 d respectively for 73.0 g a.i./ha application rate, and 6.72 d and 5.55 d respectively for 146.0 g a.i/ha application rate. No detectable residues (<0.05 ? g/g) were found in red chilli and soil, sampled on the 15th day of applications which depicts that spinosad is environmentally safe as regards soil pollution.
Location: TE 15, New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 56949
Title: Humic substances: Structure, function, effects and applications
Author: Ni Nyoman Rupiasih and Pandit B Vidyasagar
Editor: Prof V Subramanian
Year: 2008
Publisher: Capital Publishing Company, Vol 5, No 2, April 2008
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution
Keywords: Humic substances, humic acid, fulvic acid, molecular spectroscopy, dual aspects
Abstract: Humic substances (HS) are organic matters formed during the physical, chemical and microbiological transformation process of dead tissue of animal and plant. It is present ubiquitously in soil, sediments and aquatic environment. HS contain carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen with small amount of sulfur. These elements are always present regardless of their origin and country. The macromolecular structues of HS are highly sensitive to different chemical conditions of solution. Their reactivity in an environment depends on the functional groups, macromolecular structure and concentration. HS exhibit dual aspects. The presence of Humic Acid (HA) in a water supply is undesirable as they raise total organic pollution level, colour intensity, distinct absorbing capacity and chemical activities. They have capability to induce cytotoxicity for many mammalian cells and are cause factor of many diseases. On the other hand specific properties of HA products enable their application in agriculture, industry, environment and biomedicine.
Location: TE 15, New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 56948
Title: Renewable energy-based BTS for remote locations in Bangladesh
Author: M Shamim Kaiser, M Mostafizur Rahman and M Arifur Rahman
Editor: Prof V Subramanian
Year: 2008
Publisher: Capital Publishing Company, Vol 5, No 2, April 2008
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution
Keywords: Solar and wind resources, hybrid system, solar radiation, wind generator, photovoltaic and base transceiver system (BTS)
Abstract: In this paper, energy efficient renewable energy-based Base Transceiver System (BTS) for an isolated location, such as Saint Martin ' s Island, has been proposed. Saint Martin ' s is one of the most beautiful tourist islands in Bangladesh where grid connected electric system for the residents and for the telecommunication system will not be possible to launch even in future. Thus the telecommunication network coverage does not exist. The residential consumers use diesel, kerosene and wood for fulfilling their energy demand. Solar and wind resources are the hybrid options for the island. HOMER, a software for optimization for renewable energy-based hybrid systems, has been used to find out the finest technically, economically and environmentally viable renewable energy-based efficient system. Analysis has been done for operating a BTS which consumes a constant power of about 1.5 kW all the days of the year.
Location: TE 15, New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None