ID: 52162
Title: Plastic debris along the beaches of Karnataka, Southwest Coast of India
Author: K.R.Sridhar, B.Deviprasad, K.S.Karamchand and Rajeev Bhat
Editor: Prof V.Subramanian
Year: 2009
Publisher: Capital Publishing Company , Vol 6, No 2, April 2009
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution
Keywords: Beaches, Sand dunes, pollution, plastic debris '
Abstract: This study deals with accumulation of plastic debris on five sandy beaches of the southwest coast of India. Sand from five quadrats (1 m2) of mid and hind dunes at each beach was assessed for the accumulation of plastic debris. Plastics were sorted, enumerated, weighed and classified based on their use (food, fishing, domestic and miscellaneous). Qualitative and quantitative variations in plastic debris were recorded between the mid and hind dunes. Quantity of plastic debris was more on mid dunes, while the number on hind dunes. Quantity and number of plastic debris between hind and mid dunes did not differ significantly. A total of 22 types of plastic debris were recovered in the quadrants, while visual observations revealed 15 additional types on beaches. Low-density polyethylene and polystyrene were most common on beaches. Accumulation of food-based plastic debris was highest (43%), followed by domestic (28%), fishing (18%) and others (11%). This study revealed that the beaches of southwest coast of India mainly consist of plastics used for food and fishing purposes. As most of the debris accumulated is of local origin, its prevention can be achieved by public education and employing safe disposal practices.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 52161
Title: Nitrate and fluoride contamination in ground water under intensive agricultural landuse
Author: S.K.Tyagi, P.S. Datta, R.K.Sharma and Shilpi Kulshreshtha
Editor: Prof V.Subramanian
Year: 2009
Publisher: Capital Publishing Company , Vol 6, No 2, April 2009
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution
Keywords: Groundwater, contamination, nitrate, intensive agriculture, chemical fertilizers
Abstract: In alluvial areas, having intensive agricultural practices, continuous loading of agrochemicals is a common phenomenon. This, mixed with irrigation water transport through the unsaturated zone, is likely to result in groundwater contamination. A study has been initiated to assess the extent of groundwater contamination in the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) farm area, New Delhi, using Geographic Information System (GIS) technology. Nitrate, fluoride and potassium contents in farm groundwater varies from <0.1 to 80.0 mg/L, <1.0 to 1.87 mg/L and 1.6 to 18.3 mg/L respectively, suggesting contamination contributed by different sources. The investigations indicate that the groundwater pollution in the northeastern parts (TW-16) is contributed by point source, while in the western parts (TW-CPWD2 and TW-CPWDI) it is contributed by the sewage disposal water showing high values of nitrate i.e.>45mg/L. Groundwater samples, in eastern and western parts (TW-GEN1 and TW-CPWD2), show high values of fluoride 1.87 and 1.76 mg/L respectively. The central part of the farm area is the zone of extensive agricultural activities where nitrate contamination is mainly contributed by the nitrogenous fertilizers. Urgent need to check the groundwater contamination by adopting/modifying agronomical management practices is advocated.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 52160
Title: Adsorption of heavy metals from water and waste water using low cost adsorbents from agricultural by-products
Author: Handojo Djati Utomo and Mohd Razman Salim
Editor: Prof V.Subramanian
Year: 2009
Publisher: Capital Publishing Company , Vol 6, No 2, April 2009
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution
Keywords: Adsorbate, adsorbent, agricultural by-products, heavy metals
Abstract: The use of agricultural by-products have been widely investigated as a replacement for current conventional methods for removing heavy metals from waste water, such as chemical precipitation, ion exchange, membrane technologies and electrochemical treatment. Although adsorption process using activated carbon are successfully applied for purification of potable water and the removal of organic pollutants in waste water, the expensive cost of the adsorbent material is still an issue for developing countries. Alternative adsorbents using low cost agricultural by-products are now becoming emergent. The application of low cost adsorbent for treating various adsorbate contaminants such as colour, trace metals, trace organics or chemical oxygen demand have been investigated worldwide. A focus on heavy metals contamination in waste water is a major concern due to their potential toxicity, persistence and tendency to become concentrated in food chains. With sources from more than 100 published papers low cost agricultural by-products have demonstrated outstanding capabilities in adsorbing heavy metal ions from aqueous solution. In this review, an extensive list of adsorbent literature has been compiled to provide a summary of information on a wide range of low-cost agricultural by-product adsorbents. The adsorption capacities depend largely on the characteristics of the adsorbent, pretreatment of the adsorbents, pH and the initial metal concentration.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 52159
Title: Study of solar desalination system with evaporative porous surface in basin to meet out drinking water requirement of remote area dwellers of Rajasthan
Author: R.K.Khanna, R.S.Rathore and C.Sharma
Editor: Prof V.Subramanian
Year: 2009
Publisher: Capital Publishing Company , Vol 6, No 2, April 2009
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution
Keywords: Solar still, porous surface, potable water, enhanced surface
Abstract: Desalination is a technique used to produce potable water from water sources containing dissolved chemicals contamination. Water with TDS value (mg/L) less than 1000 is called potable and water with TDS value (mg/L) >1000 is called brackish water. There are several methods of water desalination like ion exhange, electro dialysis, reverse osmosis, distillation, solar desalination etc. Solar desalination is a process in which solar energy is used to evaporate brackish water in an air-tight chamber and allowed to condense on a condensing surface, leaving behind the dissolved impurities to make it suitable for drinking. States of India like Rajasthan with highly contaminated ground water and ample solar radiations may use this technique to produce drinking water from the available brackish water. In this paper a mathematical model is presented to theoretically predict the output of a solar desalination system by enhancing the evaporative surface area which is verified experimentally. It is observed that efficiency of solar desalination system may be increased by increasing the surface area available for evaporation.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 52158
Title: Participation in practice: Environmental Co-planning in the Seymareh River Basin
Author: Hadi Veisi, Hossein Sabahi and Ali Reza Mohammdi
Editor: Prof V.Subramanian
Year: 2009
Publisher: Capital Publishing Company , Vol 6, No 2, April 2009
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution
Keywords: Participatory planning, environment, Seymareh river basin
Abstract: This paper describes the condition, sources of pollution, potential actions and solutions for implementing participatory planning for the Seymareh River from the point of view of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), local community leaders and government agents. The aim of this paper is to explore how environmental problems can provide an information key for planning and developing the management system for the Seymareh River basin. In this regard, th methodology for developing platform was participatory action plan development (PAPD) and involves a series of linked local workshops where different stakeholders participate separately and together to develop a management plan for the common resources they use. As the results show, enhancing public awarness of options for integrated river basin management and developing and strengthening at the local level, as appropriate, research and monitoring capabilities pertaining to the conservation of the Seymareh River basin are determined, especially in relation to environmental health parameters. The availability of finances, generation and availability of information and cooperation among stakeholders were all addressed as challenges to its implementation by participants for effective management (planning ) in the Seymareh River basin.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 52157
Title: Temporal, spatial and depth variation of nutrients and chlorophyll content in an urban wetland
Author: Nibedita Kapil and Krishna Gopal Bhattacharyya
Editor: Prof V.Subramanian
Year: 2009
Publisher: Capital Publishing Company , Vol 6, No 2, April 2009
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution
Keywords: Wetland, nutrients, chlorophyll, trophic state index, Deepor Beel
Abstract: The Deepor Beel is a permanent, freshwater lake at the southwest corner of Guwahati in the southern bank of the Brahmaputra River and the Beel serves as the major storm water storage basin for Guwahati city. It is recognized as a Ramsar site (No. 1207) in 2002. The water quality of the Beel is threatened in recent times by excessive fishing activities, hunting of water birds, pollution from pesticides and fertilizers, and infestation by water hyacinth Eichhornia crassipes. The present work reports on bimonthly monitoring of macro and micro nutrients including nitrate, phosphate, potassium, boron, copper, iron, zinc at 13 different sites and three different depths of the water column. The impact of the nutients on chlorophyll (a,b and c) contents of the wetland were also monitored. Each parameters was monitored 202 times in total. The measured values were subjected to anlaysis of variance test, which indicated important temporal, spatial and depth-wise correlations for the parameters. The ratios of total nitrogen to total phosphorus for the water is mostly <10 and the Trophic State Index is >70.0, both of which point to a phosphorus-enriched state and water approaching eutrophic conditions. The results indicate a serious degradation in quality of the water due to human interferences.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 52156
Title: Assessment of aquifer vulnerability to groundwater pollution by multi-criteria analysis in and around East Calcutta Wetlands, West Bengal, India
Author: Paulami Sahu and P.K.Sikdar
Editor: Prof V.Subramanian
Year: 2009
Publisher: Capital Publishing Company , Vol 6, No 2, April 2009
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution
Keywords: East Calcutta wetlands, land use, piezometeric surface, multi-criteria analysis, aquifer vulnerability, groundwater quality
Abstract: The area lies between Hugli river in the northwest and Bidyadhari river in the east and includes the East Calcutta Wetlands, a Ramsar site. The area is flat in nature and a part of the lower deltaic plain of the Bhagirathi-Ganga river system. The sub-surface geology of the area is completely blanketed by the Quaternary fluviatile sediments comprising a succession of clay, silty clay, sand and sand mixed with occasional gravel. The Quaternary confined aquifer is made up of moderately well sorted sand and reflects fluviatile environment of deposition. Overlay analysis in GIS platform using multiple criteria such as height of piezometric surface above the base of top confining layer, hydraulic conductivity of the aquifer, groundwater velocity, thickness of top confining layer and water quality index have been utilized to understand vulnerability of the aquifer to groundwater pollution. The analysis indicates that 71% of the aquifer of the study area shows high to very high vulnerability to groundwater pollution. The aquifer below the sewage fed ponds and agricultural land shows high vulnerability to pollution. In these areas groundwater abstraction should be controlled to minimize surface water and groundwater interaction. Sensitivity analysis of the aquifer vulnerability assessment with the water quality vulnerability assessment with the water quality indicates that in 70% of the total area vulnerability classes have matched with the present water quality distribution of the area. Artificial recharge to aquifer through roof top rainwater harvesting should be made mandatory for high-rise buildings and industries present in and around the wetlands.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 52155
Title: Seasonal changes and major cation composition in individual rain events at Ballarat, Central Victoria (Australia)
Author: Khawar Sultan
Editor: Prof V.Subramanian
Year: 2009
Publisher: Capital Publishing Company , Vol 6, No 2, April 2009
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution
Keywords: Rainwater, major cations, individual rain events, seasonal changes, Australia
Abstract: Rainfall events (n=120, representing 702.7 mm rain) were collected at the Mount Helen site in Ballarat, Central Victoria (Australia) from November 2002 to November 2003 and analysed for rainfall amount, pH, electric conductivity (EC), temperature and major cation (Ca, Na, Mg and K) composition. The pH exhibited large variations, from 4.2 (in winter) to 7.7 (in summer) with an average value of 6.0. Twenty-one percent of the recorded rain events were acidic (pH<5.5) and 29% were neutral to alkaline (pH>6.5). The mean dissolved concentrations of major cations varied in the order: Na>>Ca>K>Mg. All major cations varied significantly (Na and K>50-fold, Ca>100-fold and Mg>450-fold) in the individual rain events. While Na and Mg were the most and least abundant cations in all seasons, respectively,Ca recorded the second dominant cation in spring and winter, and K in summer and autumn seasons. About 3-fold higher K concentration in summer (average ~ 65?eq/L) as compared to the winter season (average ~21?eq/L) , pointed to possible biogenic emissions and forest burnings in the area. The rainwater chemistry appeared to be controlled mainly by terrestrial sources; however, the higher value of Na (upto 434.9 ?eq/L in summer season) pointed to the influence of marine sources in few rain events. More than 15% of rain events recorded >300 ?eq/L of Na, which could be significant from the agricultural and environmental point of view for both quality and quantity.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 52154
Title: Methane in estuarine discharges to Coastal Ocean-A study at Ashtamudi Estuary, Kerala, India
Author: E.J.Zachariah and C.J.Johny
Editor: Prof V.Subramanian
Year: 2009
Publisher: Capital Publishing Company , Vol 6, No 2, April 2009
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution
Keywords: Estuaries, estuarine discharges, dissolved methane, methane fluxes, Ashtamudi estuary
Abstract: Wetlands are major natural source of atmospheric methane, a strong greenhouse gas. Methane fluxes from the Ashtamudi Estuary in Kerala, India (Ramsar site no. 1204), to the atmosphere as well as to the coastal ocean were obtained and are reported here. Concentration of methane in water was estimated by extraction and GC analysis. The water exchanges between the estuary and ocean was estimated by LOICZ Modeling Guidelines. Water to air fluxes of methane from the estuary surface was measured by collecting the emissions. Average water to air flux from this estuary with a water cover area of 5500 ha is 0.57 mg/m2/hr. The estuarine water is super saturated with methane. The average concentration of methane in the estuary is 420 nMol/L. This study indicates that the discharge of methane rich water from estuaries to coastal ocean need be taken into account when methane budgets are prepared.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 52153
Title: Performance of A Venturi scrubbers in Intermediate drop reynolds number regime for small particles at different throat length and throat gas velocity
Author: Anoop Kumar, Varun, Prashant Kumar and S.K.Singal
Editor: Prof V.Subramanian
Year: 2009
Publisher: Capital Publishing Company , Vol 6, No 2, April 2009
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution
Keywords: Particle capture, penetration, venturi scrubber, wet scrubbing, inertial impaction
Abstract: Venturi scrubbers are devices where particle-laden gas (air) is cleaned of particles by capture on water drops. A high relative velocity at throat between drops and particles moving with gas enhances capture of particles. The present model estimates penetration (fraction of un-collected particles) of small particles (less than 3 mm) in intermediate drop Reynolds number (1<ReD<1000). In this model of venturi scrubber where intermediate drop Reynolds number effects are accounted for show reasonably good agreement with available experimental data. Venturi scrubber is found to be effective in capture of such small particles at high throat gas velocities (80 m/s and higher).
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 52152
Title: Biomakers from latex drying plants in Siak River sediments
Author: Gerd Liebezeit, Ralf Wostmann and Christine Jose
Editor: Prof V.Subramanian
Year: 2009
Publisher: Capital Publishing Company , Vol 6, No 2, April 2009
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution
Keywords: Hevea brasiliensis, latex, biomarker, sediment, river, Siak, Sumatra, Indonesia
Abstract: In Pekanbaru, Riau Province, Sumatra, two latex processing plants discharge wastewater rich in particulate and dissolved organic matter to the Siak river. The immediate effect is a marked enrichment of total organic carbon in the sediment adjacent to the discharge point. Biomarkers specific for Hevea brasiliensis were also found in the discharged process water. These compounds could be detected up to 25 km downstream.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 52151
Title: Assessment of tree volume and growing stock in Kharagpur forest range of Bhimbandh Wildlife Sanctuary in Bihar-An integrated geospatial approach
Author: Laxmi Kant Sharma, M.S.Nathawat and Meenakshi Mishra
Editor: Prof K.P.Sharma
Year: 2009
Publisher: Technoscience Publications , Vol 8, No 3, September 2009
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Nature Environment and pollution Technology
Keywords: Forest cover type, forest stratum, crown density, tree volume, growing stock
Abstract: Planners and policy makers need information about availability of wood from important tree species growing inside and outside forest areas. In recent years, satellite remote sensing has emerged as one of the powerful technologies for generation of spatial information due to repetitive, synoptic view, availability of data in inaccessible areas, and digital nature of data. In the present study, IRS LISS-III satellite data of November 2006 has been digitally interpreted and forests have been classified into different forest types on the basis of density classes. With the help of GIS, different layers have been digitized and maps were produced. Using general volume equations and specific gravity of different species from FSI publications, the volume per hectare and growing stock per hectare of individual forest cover types for the whole forest area were estimated. The study revealed that pure Sal forest has maximum volume content followed by bamboo-mixed forests, Sal-mixed and miscellaneous forests. This is probably first attempt for detailed survey of remote and inhospitable areas of Kharagpur forest range of Bhimbandh Wildlife Sanctuary in Bihar, which has accessed detailed ground truth collection for tree volume mapping and growing stock estimation.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 52150
Title: Heavy metal status of soils in industrial belts of Coimbatore district, Tamil Nadu
Author: T. Sherene
Editor: Prof K.P.Sharma
Year: 2009
Publisher: Technoscience Publications , Vol 8, No 3, September 2009
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Nature Environment and pollution Technology
Keywords: Industrial wastes, Heavy metals, Soil contamination, Industrial belts
Abstract: A study was conducted to investigate the heavy metal contamination of soils in the vicinity of industries in and around Coimbatore city of Tamil Nadu. Categorically the soils were collected from electroplating, textiles, casting, foundry and sewage water irrigated fields. The concentration of total Cd, Cu, Mn, Fe, Pb, Ni, Cr, Zn ranged from 0.3-4.6, 18.4-404.2, 28.1-2514.72, 2064.83-8577.14, 7-170, 3.0-157.0, 3.3-593.99, 14.56-651.82 mg/kg respectively. The total metal content was high in soils of electroplating industries. In all the industries, Cd was found above the background metal levels. The total Ni concentration was very high in sewage water irrigated fields followed by electroplating industries. Most of the metals in contaminated soils were in the value of maximum tolerable level in the vicinity of industrial sites of Coimbatore city.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 52149
Title: Impact of distillery spentwash irrigation on yield of some root vegetables
Author: C.S.Chidankumar and S.Chandraju
Editor: Prof K.P.Sharma
Year: 2009
Publisher: Technoscience Publications , Vol 8, No 3, September 2009
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Nature Environment and pollution Technology
Keywords: Distillery spentwash, Wastewater irrigation, Root vegetables, Impact of spentwash, Soil fertility
Abstract: Cultivation of some root vegetables was made by irrigation with distillery spentwash of different dilutions. The primarily treated spentwash (PTSW) of 50% and 33% dilutions was analysed for its plant nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and other physical and chemical parameters. Experimental soil was tested for its chemical and physical properties. Seeds of root vegetables were sown in the prepared land and irrigated with raw water (RW), and 50% and 33% spentwash. The impact of spentwash on the yield of root vegetables at their maturity periods was investigated. It was noticed that the yield of all the vegetables was maximum in the case of 33%, moderate in 50% spentwash and minimum in raw water irrigation.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 52148
Title: Effect of pesticides on aquatic and aerial oxygen consumption in an air breathing Murrel fish, Channa gachua
Author: Qaisur Rahman and D.N.Sadhu
Editor: Prof K.P.Sharma
Year: 2009
Publisher: Technoscience Publications , Vol 8, No 3, September 2009
Source: Centre for Ecological Science,Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-12
Reference: None
Subject: Nature Environment and pollution Technology
Keywords: Pesticides, Dual mode O2 uptake , Air breathing fish, Channa gachua
Abstract: The present paper deals with the effect of three pesticides namely Metacid-50 (Organophosphate), Dithane M-45 (Carbamate) and Kelthane (Organochlorine) on changes in dual mode of oxygen consumption of an air breathing murrel fish, Channa gachua. The mean values of aquatic, aerial and total oxygen uptake of control group of fish (40.0 + 1.5g) were recorded as 52.44, 61.56 and 114.0 mL/kg/h respectively. This group of fish obtained 46% and 54% oxygen respectively from aquatic and aerial route. Exposure of fish to the pesticides brought significant decrease in aquatic as well as total oxygen uptake, while it increases in oxygen consumption through aerial route as compared to control . It is due to action of pesticides on acetylcholinesterase enzyme, respiratory muscles paralysis and respiratory failure causing finally death.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None