ID: 53406
Title: Air pollution and its impact on physical fitness level in relation with nutritional status
Author: Paulomi Das, Pinaki Chatterjee, Parimal Debnath, Pratima Chatterjee and Santa Datta (De)
Editor: Prof V. Subramanian
Year: 2010
Publisher: Capital Publishing Company , No 2,Vol 7, April 2010
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution
Keywords: Air pollution, physical fitness, nutritional status, boys
Abstract: The present study was carried out with an objective to find our relationship between nutritional status and physical fitness level of junior sportspersons, age ranging between 14 and 16 years, in two different ambient air pollutant zones in West Bengal, India. The sample consisted of 50 sprinters (trained boys) ( 25 from Kolkata and 25 from Sonarpur) and 80 untrained boys (40 from Kolkata and 40 from Sonarpur) of West Bengal. Ambient air quality of two zones was monitored. Air pollutants ' levels were higher in Kolkata than Sonarpur. The physical fitness parameters included agility, leg muscle power, speed and handgrip strength. Nutritional status was measured by oral questionnaire method and nutritive values (energy, carbohydrate, protein, fat vitamin C, b-carotene, vitamin B1) were calculated. Result revealed that physical fitness parameters were signifiantly higher in both sprinters and untrained boys of Sonarpur than Kolkata. No significant difference was observed in energy, carbohydrate, protein and fat intake between the groups. But vitamin C, b-carotene and vitamin B1 intake showed significant higher values in both sprinters and untrained boys of Sonarpur. It was concluded that environmental air pollutants have adverse effect on physical fitness components and higher intake of vitamins helped both sprinters and untrained boys of Sonarpur to improve the performance level against the impact of air pollution.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None


ID: 53405
Title: A comparative analysis of Coir and Sugar mill effluents treated with endophytic organisms isolated from Oryza sativa
Author: A. Jayanthi, C. Jency and S. Berlin Suhiji
Editor: Prof V. Subramanian
Year: 2010
Publisher: Capital Publishing Company , No 2,Vol 7, April 2010
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution
Keywords: Endophytic organisms, biofilm, effluent, RAPD
Abstract: The objective of the present sudy was to investigate the biodegradation capacity of endophytic organisms isolated from Oryza sativa shoots on industrial effluent. A comparative analysis was done on coir and sugar mill effluent. Physico-chemical parameters and microbial screening were conducted. The endophytic organisms were isolated from shoots in flowering stages of Oryza sativa-both bacteria and fungi-which were co-cultured for a period of 10 days. After teh biofilm formation they were introduced into the coir and sugar mill effluents and the physico-chemical parameters were analysed. The results from this study indicate that there was reduction in BOD, COD, chloride, sulphide, calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium in coir effluent and pronounce decrease in sugar mill effluent which was found to be proved statistically significant. The endophytic organisms were identified by morphological and biochemical parameters and further confirmed with RAPD analysis.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None


ID: 53404
Title: Impact of Industrial effluents of Gadoon Amazi industries over quality of ground water: A case study
Author: Musa Kaleem Baloch, Arshad Ali, Gulrez Fatima Durani and Abdur Rahim
Editor: Prof V. Subramanian
Year: 2010
Publisher: Capital Publishing Company , No 2,Vol 7, April 2010
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution
Keywords: Ground water pollution, cations, anions, industrial effluents, irrigation
Abstract: Installation of industries is a sign of development for a nation; however, due to poor management of waste material/effluents they are contributing otherwise and pollute the water we drink, air we inhale and the texture of soil we live at. In this article we had tried to correlate the deterioration of ground water by the industries installed in Gadoon Amazai, Swabi, Pakistan quantitatively. The groundwater samples from industrial area and outside it have been collected and analyzed for different parameters. The depth of sampling sources varied fr;om 10 to 30 metres. Samples of effluents were also collected from different places from the effluents drainage over the period of one year and analyzed. The analysis of ground water and industrial effluents concluded that the ground water of the industrial area and the soil is very much polluted due to industrial effluents and the ground water is not fit for drinking purpose. Further, the effluents are highly polluted and not fit for irrigation pupose.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None


ID: 53403
Title: Selection of suitable ecosystem indicators as tools to assess the ecosystem health of coastal lagoons and their implicaitons in management
Author: Harini Santhanam
Editor: Prof V. Subramanian
Year: 2010
Publisher: Capital Publishing Company , No 2,Vol 7, April 2010
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution
Keywords: Coastal lagoons, ecosystem indicators, lagoon management, ecosystem health
Abstract: In recent years, coastal lagoons have been recognized for their significance as productive ecosystems as well as for their important roles in maintaining ecological balance. However, for understanding the structure and functioning of coastal lagoons for preserving their natural quality one has to take into account the rapid degradation of these unique ecosystems. Hence, tools for indicating rapid changes in lagoon ecosystems in order to assess and maintain their health are the needs of the hour. Ecological indicators available to ecosystem managers for this purpose are numerous and often inappropriately selected within the context of lagoon management. Thus it is important to select suitable ecosystem indicators to accurately determine the status of the lagoon ecosystems. This article provides a comprehensive review of the existing indicators used in the monitoring of lakes and lagoons. Further, it explores the functionalities of these indicators and correlates them with their applicability in c;onservation and management of a coastal lagoon. The purpose of this work is to povide a chart of reference for managers of coastal lagoons for easy and suitable selection of ecosystem indicators as tools for use in a cognet environmental monitoring programme.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None


ID: 53402
Title: Migration of tracer contaminants from landfills: Case study for chloride
Author: Bharat Jhamnani and S.K. Singh
Editor: Prof V. Subramanian
Year: 2010
Publisher: Capital Publishing Company , No 2,Vol 7, April 2010
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution
Keywords: Landfill, leachate, groundwater, liner thickness, chlorides
Abstract: Point sources, such as landfills, can release high concentrations of pollutant into the ground water because of migration of leachate from its bottom, which is generated primarily as a result of precipitation falling on an active landfill surface, leaching out the potential organic and inorganic contaminants from landfilled waste and discharging the same to ground water in underlying aquifer. Leachate contains a high level of dissolved solids content, high concentration of organic matter, and a trace amount of hazardous constituents. To protect the ground water from contamination by landfill leachate, it is quite essential to provide the bottom barrier of suitable thickness, and to minimize the amount of water that could enter the landfill to create leachate. The present study was undertaken to determine the rate of movement of potential contaminants from its bottom to the aquifer media, so as to evolve a rational method for the determination of thickness of bottom barrier. The study was undertaken for conservative contaminant chloride. The governing equation of contaminant transport was solved using finite difference method, and finite mass boundary condition, to ape the field conditions of landfill. The solution of the model was run in Matlab 7.0 for range of Darcy velocities, and equivalent height of leachate. Design curves were drawn which can be used for determination of suitable barrier thickness on the basis of expected maximum concentration of contaminant in landfill leachate and maximum permissible concentration of the same in groundwater.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None


ID: 53401
Title: Molecular characterization of Cytochrome P450 1A (CYP1A0 in Asian sea bass (Lates calcalifer Bloch) and its application as a biomarker in the Gulf of Thailand
Author: Praparsiri Kachanopas- Barnette, Phaithoon Mokkongpai, Britt Wassmur, Malin C. Celander and Pichan Sawangwong
Editor: Prof V. Subramanian
Year: 2010
Publisher: Capital Publishing Company , No 2,Vol 7, April 2010
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution
Keywords: Thailand, PAH, benzo [a] pyrene, CYP1A, Asian sea bass, tropical fish
Abstract: This study focusses on aquatic pollution in Thailand, using induction of hepatic cytochrome P450 1A(CYP1A) in Asian sea bass as a biomarker to assess exposure to polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Polyclonal antibodies (PAb) were raised against Asian sea bass CYPIA in mice. Western blot analyses revealed that these antibodies recognized a CYPIA protein in Asian sea bass treated with benzo [a] pyrene (BaP). The presence of a CYPIA orthologue in Asian sea bass liver was confirmed by isolating a partial cDNA, using a reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) approach. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis revealed that CYPIA mRNA was 2.5-fold higher in fish injected with BaP. The PAb were next applied on 15 different tropical fish species, caught off the Chonburi from three different stations: (1) Koh Loi, Si Racha, (2) Ao Udom and (3) Laem chabang. Although, species variation in CYPIA protein levels was observed, the data suggest that Si Racha and Ao Udom were more contaminated with PAH-type contaminants compared with Laem chabang. This study confirm studies in temperate waters that CYPIA could be used as early indicators of PAH-type exposure in Thailand, and that PAb against Asian sea bass is suitable for analyses of CYPIA in different tropical fish species.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None


ID: 53400
Title: Study on the removal of Methylene blue dye using Chemically treated rice husk
Author: Papita Saha
Editor: Prof V. Subramanian
Year: 2010
Publisher: Capital Publishing Company , No 2,Vol 7, April 2010
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution
Keywords: Adsorption isotherm, adsorption kinetics, biosorption, rice husk, thermodynamics, properties
Abstract: To remove methylene blue dye from waste water , chemically modified rice husk has been used in the laboratory scale that comprises batch study leading to adsorpiton kinetics rate constants and maximum adsorption capacities. It has been observed that almost 95-99% of dye can be removed from the solution using treated rice husk. Langmuir adsorption isotherm, Freundlich isotherm model and Temkin model have used to describe the distribution of dye between the liquid and solid phases in batch studies and it has been found that Langmuir isotherm represents the phenomenon better than other isotherm models. Due to low cost of rice husk this may be an effective material in the treatment of waste water containing dye and this material is biodegradable and eco-friendly.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None


ID: 53399
Title: The assessment of effective factors on Anzali wetland pollution using Artificial Neural Networks
Author: Gholamreza Asadollahfardi, Ahmad Khodadadi and Reza Gharayloo
Editor: Prof V. Subramanian
Year: 2010
Publisher: Capital Publishing Company , No 2,Vol 7, April 2010
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution
Keywords: Urtification, Anzali wetland, artificial neural network, multi layer perception
Abstract: Anzali wetland, which is located in north part of Iran, is one of the most important ecosystems in the world considering economical and environmental features, and is in the list of Ramsar Convention. Receiving wastewater with minimum treatment caused increasing water pollution in the wetland. In this regard, having enough and accurate data and precise interpretation are necessary which may help water quality management. There are many methods for interpretation of data. In this work, prediction of COD parameter in Siakeshim station in south part of the wetland was studied using Artificial Neural Network (ANN) considering effects of five parameters TP, TN, (NO3-N), (NO2-N)and (NH4-N)as the most important features of nutritional materials and creation of utrification and also predictors of pollution. The ten years average monthly data of fiveb mentioned parameters are applied as input of Multi Layer Perception (MLP) models. The results of the study showed that using MLP methods obtained precise predictions for COD parameter and also the rate of effects of each input parameters in water pollution. Hence, prediction of water quality using ANN model may be useful for water quality planning and management.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None


ID: 53398
Title: Application of Fuzzy expert system to determine the degree of sustainable development of mineral resources
Author: A.K. Gorai
Editor: Prof V. Subramanian
Year: 2010
Publisher: Capital Publishing Company , No 2,Vol 7, April 2010
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution
Keywords: Degree, sustainable development, fuzzy logic
Abstract: Sustainable development of mineral resources is the result of carefully integrating environmental, economical, and social needs to achieve both an increased living standard in the short term, and maintain the equilibrium of the natural resources to support future generations. The increasing demand of the mineral resources needs sustainable exploitation of these resources. But the worldwide accepted scale to measure the sustainability is not available with us. The objective of this paper is to develop a methodology to determine the degree of sustainable development of the mineral resources. The methodology is based on the fuzzy logic to make the quantification of the sustainable development. Though, there are number of parameters, on which sustainable development depends, we have considered only four major parameters like availability of mineral resources, economical development, social development, and environmental protection, to evaluate the degree of sustainable development.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None


ID: 53397
Title: Monitoring the Atmospheric deposition of Heavy metals at source and non-source oriented sites of Varanasi, India
Author: J. Pandey, K. Shubhashish and Richa Pandey
Editor: Prof V. Subramanian
Year: 2010
Publisher: Capital Publishing Company , No 2,Vol 7, April 2010
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution
Keywords: Atmospheric deposition, heavy metal, tropical city, Ganges, Varanasi
Abstract: We measured the atmospheric depositions of total particulates and seven heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) at twentytwo urban and sub-urban locations of Varanasi, a holy city of India. Heavy metals in bulk deposits were measured using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Atmospheric depositions of Zn remained highest (31.65 to 636.15 g ha-1y-1) followed by Mn (8.1 to 379.5g ha-1y-1), Pb (5.0 to 140 g ha-1y-1), Cu (4.5 to 122.7 g ha-1y-1), Ni (2.0 to 58.1 g ha-1y-1), Cr (5 to 55 g ha-1y-1) and Cd remained the lowest (0.45 to 17.7 g ha-1y-1). The deposition of heavy metals remained highest during winter and lowest during rainy season. Atmospheric emissions coupled with wind actions appeared to have raised atmospheric loadings of heavy metals even in areas far away from source oriented sites. Since the city of Varanasi is flanked by a vast stretch of holy river Ganga at one side and agricultural lands at other sides, our data have relevance establishing air-soil-water-vegetable continuum of heavy metals from a human health perspective.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None


ID: 53396
Title: Assessment on Water retention function of grassland ecosystems in the upper Yangtze river basin
Author: Deng Yulin and Wang Yukuan
Editor: Prof V. Subramanian
Year: 2010
Publisher: Capital Publishing Company , No 2,Vol 7, April 2010
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution
Keywords: The upper Yangtze river basin, grassland ecosystem, water conservation, function assessment
Abstract: The upper Yangtze river basin, as an ecological protection screen for the whole Yangtze river, is a key ecological region in China. It is a substantial basis to assess the water conservation function of grassland ecosystem for sake of nature conservation, flood control and ecological regionalization. Through an integrated analysis on vegetation classification system and land-use changes, this study conducted a merger of various grasslands into eight assessment units. Interception (depth) under a single rain was formulated as the key indicator to evaluate water retention capacity of various grassland types. The results showed that the water-retention depth of grassland ecosystems within a single rainfall in the study area ranges from 17.25 mm to 40.65 mm, averaging 24.58 mm, among which the temperate-grass and forb meadow steppe had the highest capacity of water retention whereas the grass and Kobresia forb swamp meadow had the lowest capacity. A total amount of conserved water in the grassland ecosystems amounted to 45.67 x 108m3, pricing as $3.657 x 108. On spatial variances, the water-source area, which locates at eastern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, comes out to be the most important region whereas areas of Hengduan mountain region, northeastern Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau and eastern mountain ranges around Sichuan Basin co-form a generally important region.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None


ID: 53395
Title: Description of two new protozoan species Diplodinium sphericulatum sp. Nov. and Diplodinium posterotriangulatum sp. Nov. from the rumen of Indian cattle (Bos indicus)
Author: P.K. Sanghai, H.S. Kshirsagar and S.A. Kulkarni
Editor: Dr. R.K.Trivedy, Dr. P.K.Wong, Dr. Sadhana Sharma
Year: 2010
Publisher: Global Science Publications , Vol 12, No 1, 2010
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Aian Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology, Environmental Sciences
Keywords: Rumen, Protozoa, ciliates, Diplodinium
Abstract: To study the morphology of rumen ciliate protozoa from the subfamilies Diplodiniinae and Ophyocolecinae. Rumen fluid samples were observed from adult Indian cattle Bos indicus. The present paper deals with the morphology of two new species from the genus Diplodinium. Their body dimensions frequency distribution and variations of characters are recorded. Comparative comments are made on their specific features. Diplodinium sphericulatum is recognized by having large rounded body thick spherical macronucleus, micronucleus around the macronucleus and thick blunt ventral lobe. Diplodinium posterotriangulatum is recognized by the presence of small ovoid body thick rod shaped macronucleus, micronucleus in the middorsal region of the macronucleus. Posterior region is slight triangular in shape with a small blunt ventral lobe.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None


ID: 53394
Title: Evaluation of extra-polymeric substance (EPS) of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherica coli in water distribution system
Author: N. Nandini, R. Durgesh and S. Siva Sakthivel
Editor: Dr. R.K.Trivedy, Dr. P.K.Wong, Dr. Sadhana Sharma
Year: 2010
Publisher: Global Science Publications , Vol 12, No 1, 2010
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Aian Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology, Environmental Sciences
Keywords: Biofilm, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, E-coli, Extra Polymeric Substance (EPS), protein, polysaccharide
Abstract: Microorganisms produce Extra-polymeric substance (EPS) in order to adhere on to a surface which is immersed in an aqueous environment. Two different organisms Pseudomonas aeruginosa and E coli were examined at combined state and separate state. The isolated organisms were examined in in-vitro at nutrient condition. A significant result was observed after four weeks. All the experiments were repeated every four days. A significant amount of EPS was secreted by group of organism present in the aqueous environment. Environmental factors such as temperature, nutrient availability in the water system, properties of the metal composition contribute to the formation of biofilm. A comparative study of EPS development between Pseudomonas aeruginosa and E-coli showed that, Pseudomonas aeruginosa is more efficient in developing biofilm than the E-coli. A significant level of EPS was produced when both the organisms were combined together. The production of EPS and population of microbes depends on the nutrient avaialability of aqueous environment.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None


ID: 53393
Title: Relationship between kernel constituents and Aflatoxin production of groundnut genotypes
Author: K. Venkataramanamma and N. P. Eswara Reddy
Editor: Dr. R.K.Trivedy, Dr. P.K.Wong, Dr. Sadhana Sharma
Year: 2010
Publisher: Global Science Publications , Vol 12, No 1, 2010
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Aian Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology, Environmental Sciences
Keywords: Groundnut, Aflatoxin, total phenols, sugars
Abstract: Aflatoxin contamination of groundnut caused by Aspergillus flavus is a major problem in the rainfed agriculture in the semiarid tropics associated with end of season drought stress. The field experiment was conducted with twelve groundnut genotypes and were evaluated against aflatoxin contamination under terminal moisture stress conditions during Rabi 2002-2003 and kernel constituents viz., proteins, phenols and sugars were estimated in relation to Aflatoxin production. Moisture stress was imposed from 70DAS to till harvest by withholding irrigations and control plots with irrigations were also maintained. The data was recorded from harvested kernels of respective treatments. Results revealed that J-11 and K-4 under irrigated conditions and TPT-4 under drought conditions maintained low aflatoxin content. Kernel proteins, phenols and sugars were estimated and their relation wiht kernel aflatoxin were drawn. Among them kernel phenols showed negative correlation with aflatoxin contents particularly under drought conditions, where as no correlation was recorded with aflatoxin contents particularly under drought conditions, where as no correlation was recorded with sugars and proteins. However high accumulation of sugars under drought condition was detemined.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None


ID: 53392
Title: Effect of a Cephate, a new generation organophosphate insecticide on physico-chemical and biological properties of black clay soils
Author: S. Jaheerunnisa, S.N.Rasool, V.Rangaswamy and K.N.Jayaveera
Editor: Dr. R.K.Trivedy, Dr. P.K.Wong, Dr. Sadhana Sharma
Year: 2010
Publisher: Global Science Publications , Vol 12, No 1, 2010
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Aian Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology, Environmental Sciences
Keywords: Acephate, black clay soils, physico-chemical properties, bacteria and fungi, dehydrogenase
Abstract: This study investigated the effects of acephate, a new generation organophosphate insecticide on physico-chemical and biological properties of black clay soils of a cotton (Gossypium species) field. The values were compared with the values of a control soil which was exposed to any insecticide. The soils were clayey in texture. The clay, silt and sand percentages in sample and control soils were determined as 50.0, 23.0 and 22.0 and 53.0, 25.1 and 23.4, respectively. Other physical properties such as maximum water holding capacity, pH and electrical conductivity were found to be 53%, 8.0 and 0.42 and 58%, 7.2 and 0.52 m mhos. cm-1 in sample and control soils, respectively. Chemical parameters such as organic matter, total nitrogen, ammonium nitrogen, nitrite nitrogen and nitrate nitrogen, available nitrogen, available phosphorous and exchangeable potassium contents were reduced in sample soils when compared to control soils. Bacterial and fungal population numbers were reduced to 1.57 and 1.87 folds in sample soils over control soils. The results of this study clearly indicated the negative effects of acephate on soil physico-chemical and biological properties which are key elements in determining the soil quality and crop yield.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None