ID: 52132
Title: Level of air contaminants in Tiruchirappalli City in Central Tamil Nadu, India
Author: Sirajuddin M.Horaginamani and M.Ravichandran
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: Air contaminants, Vehicle emissions, Motorised traffic, Road intersections
Abstract: Contribution of automobiles to air pollution is reported in the range of 40 to 80% of the total air pollution. The challenge facing cities is how to reduce the adverse environmental impacts and other negative effects of transportation without giving up the benefits of mobility. The dilemma becomes most pressing under conditions of rapid urban growth, which is likely to increase travel demand significantly. The growing number of automobiles in urban Tiruchirappalli poses a serious threat to its air environment. Ambient air quality in the city was monitored for concentration of SPM, SO2 and NOx at different areas namely Central bus stand, Chattram bus stand, Puthur, Palakarai, Srirangam, Main guard gate, TVS toll gate and Old Paalpanne Circle.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 52131
Title: Studies on plant extracts as insecticides against white flies Bemisia tabaci (Gen.) on tomato to protect environmental pollution
Author: Bhimarao J. Patil
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: Plant extracts, Phytoinsecticides, Bemisia tabaci, Tomato
Abstract: Due to excessive use of chemical insecticides, many problems like pollution and residual hazards are created. In organic farming plant extracts are traditionally applied for control of insect pests. The present investigation deals with aqueous extract of ten different plant species available in and around agricultural fields which were screened for their insecticidal activity against Bemisia tabaci on tomato plants. The results showed that leaf extract of Argimone mexicana, Lantana camera and Azadirachta indica were able to significantly control Bemisia tabaci than the chemical insecticides.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 52130
Title: Seasonal variations in physico-chemical characteristics of four aquatic ecosystems in Gadhinglaj Tahsil of Maharashtra
Author: R.S.Sawant and A.B.Telave
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: Aquatic ecosystems, water quality, primary productivity, water pollution
Abstract: Water pollution is becoming a severe problem due to various anthropogenic activities in an around the water reservoirs. In the present study four different water reservoirs, Mumewadi, Gijawane, Nool and Mahagaon were studied for their physico-chemical and biological status. This piece of work will remain helpful for proper monitoring and maintenance of these ecosystems. Out of the four studied ecosystems, two show increased pollution level due to various activities taking place in and around the water bodies.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 52129
Title: Use of waste and by-products as fine aggregate in concrete
Author: M.Shahul Hameed and A.S.S.Sekar
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: Marble powder, fly ash, quarry dust, filler materials, green concrete slump, compressive strength, flexural strength
Abstract: Progress in concrete technology should necessarily take into account the widespread need for conserving resources and environment and for proper utilization of energy. Consequently, it can be expected that there will be major emphasis on the use of wastes and by-products in cement and concrete technology. Efforts will also be directed to use recycled materials such as quarry dust, marble powder and flyash. The advancement of concrete technology can reduce the consumption of natural resources and energy sources and lessen the burden of pollutants on the environment. First, the physical and chemical properties of the waste were analysed. The strength development for various percentages of replacement of fine aggregate with quarry dust, marble powder and fly ash were compared to the strength development of normal concrete at various ages. Consequently, these contribute to improve the strength of concrete slump and air content of fresh concrete and absorption, compressive strength and flexural strength of hardened concrete were also investigated.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 52128
Title: Assessment of Water quality in Madiwala Lake, Bangalore in relation to faecal contamination
Author: B. Anupama, Aboud S.Jumbe and N.Nandini
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: Madiwala lake, water quality, Faecal contamination, E.coli, Enterococcus fecalis, Enterobacter aerogens
Abstract: Tanks in and around urban areas of Bangalore receive considerable amount of sewage, which has caused a severe and persistent microbial pollution. The main objective of this study was to measure level of faecal contamination in Madiwala lake using different techniques of E.coli estimation. Results show that the golden green colonies of coliforms with metallic sheen showed a luxuriant growth at 35oC with M-Endo Agar (M1106) at incubation time of 24-48 hrs. The growth of both E. coli and Enterobacter aerogens using M-Endo Agar plate was also luxuriant at 35oC temperature. But E.aerogens colonies were pink and mucoid while that of E.coli varied from pink to rose-red with metallic sheen. The confirmatory test using Agar M-392 confirmed the presence of Enterococcus fecalis in yellow colour colonies at luxuriant growth of 35oC temperature. The presumptive test results of different volumes of the lake samples after 24 and 48 hours using lauryl tryptose broth indicated significant colour change, gas production, and turbidity. Confirmed results showed gas production in brilliant green using lactose bile broth at 37oC in 48 hrs. The completed result with EMB agar inoculated with positively confirmed test tube incubated at for 24 hrs at 35oC showed greenish metallic sheen colonies while the coliform colonies inoculated on Nutrient Agar slant and a broth tube incubated for 48 hrs at 35oC showed growth as observed on slant with gas production in the broth tube. Moreover, Gram staining results showed Gram negative with sporing rods in the tested samples. The MPN Index of the lake sample was found to be 38/100mL. Water is generally considered safe for drinking if it is contains fewer than 4 coliforms/ 100mL. 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.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 52127
Title: Studies on biomethanation potential of liquid composite waste from Corn glucose factory
Author: A.K.Salunkhe and A.M.Deshmukh
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: Biomethanation, Biogas, Seeding material, Methanogens, Corn glucose waste
Abstract: The present work was undertaken to study the biomethanation potential of liquid composite waste from a corn glucose factory. One litre capacity biogas digesters were used for testing of biomethanation potential of the waste. It was found from the results that satisfactory amount of biogas is produced at optimum retention time of 25 days, at pH 7.5 and at 38oC ambient temperature. Scale-up studies on biomethanation of the waste in 5 L, 25 L and 125 L biogas digesters showed that the percent methane content of the biogas gradually increases. The biomethanation of liquid composite waste of glucose factory was found to be effective and capable to reduce organic load of the waste effectively than aerobic treatment process currently existing at the factory site.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 52126
Title: Removal of amoxicillin in wastewater using adsorption by powdered and granular activated carbon and oxidation with hydrogen peroxide
Author: Prateek Pachauri, Rajendra Falwariya, Sangeeta Vyas, Monika Maheshwari, Raj K. Vyas, and A.B.Gupta
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: Amoxicillin removal, Antibiotics, Activated carbon, Wastewater, Adsorption, Hydrogen peroxide
Abstract: Antibiotics disposed into wastewater reach wastewater treatment plants and surface waters and act as micro-pollutants. As antibiotics pose various problems related to treatment and reuse, it is imperative to remove them from wastewater. In the present paper, adsorption studies have been carried out for removal of amoxicillin using powdered activated carbon (PAC) in a batch mode and granular activated carbon (GAC) in a continuous packed bed column. Removal of antibiotics has also been made using oxidation by H 2 O2 . The techniques used for detection of antibiotics require elaborate analytical instrumentation. Being inexpensive and simple technique, monitoring of concentration during removal has been made using COD determination in the present work. It has been found that concentration of amoxicillin has a straight line relationship with COD. Batch adsorption using PAC shows that a maximum of 70% removal can be obtained for a 200 mg/L solution of amoxicillin using a dose of 600 mg/L of PAC. Maximum removal of 60% was obtained for a concentration of 200 mg/L of amoxicillin with a constant dose of 500 mg/L of PAC. In continuous packed bed adsorption using GAC, 90% COD removal was obtained at saturation. A maximum removal of 80% is obtained at a concentration of 200 mg/L of amoxicillin and 24.2% at 1000 mg/L through GAC column. Furthermore, oxidation removes a maximum of 90% COD using a dose 442mM/L of H 2 O2 (30% w/v). Removal of COD increases from 10% to 60% on increasing dose of H 2 O2 from 44 mM/L to 220 mM/L. Considering removal efficiency, both oxidative and adsorption techniques have their advantages and limitations. Nevertheless, adsorption using activated carbon and oxidation using H 2 O2 provide simple and satisfactory methods to remove antibiotics from wastewater.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 52125
Title: Environmental monitoring of airborne fungal biopollutants over brinjal fields
Author: Prabhakar D.Kulkarni and Avinash V.Karne
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: Aeroallergens, Fungal biopollutants, Kharif season, Brinjal fields
Abstract: The present investigation was undertaken to understand the incidence of different fungal biopollutants in atmosphere over brinjal field during kharif season by operating Rotorod sampler and Petri plate exposer method. Altogether, 48 types of biopollutants were identified of which 43 belonging to fungal spore type and remaining 5 types belonging to group ' other types ' . Out of the total 43 fungal spore types, 25 belonged to Deuteromycotina, 13 to Ascomycotina, 2 to Mastigomycotina, 2 to Zygomycotina, and 1 to Basidiomycotina. Cladosporium, Alternaria, Curvularia, Aspergilli, Nigrospora and Epicoccum were the dominant spore types. From Petri plate exposer method, 431 colonies were isolated, which were assigned to 16 genera with 13 genera of Deuteromycotina (75.55%), 3 to Mycelia Sterila (14.27%), 2 to Zygomycotina (8.34%), and 1 to Ascomycotina (1.85%). The relationship among incidence of these biopollutants in the air, changes in the meteorological conditions and the results are discussed.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 52124
Title: Aegle marmelos as effective corrosion pickling inhibitor on mild steel in hydrochloric acid
Author: M. Shyamala and A. Arulanantham
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: Aegle marmelos, Corrosion inhibitor, Langmuir isotherm, Aegeline
Abstract: In this study, the corrosion inhibition effect of aqueous extract of Aegle marmelos in 1N hydrochloric acid has been investigated by weight loss, gasometric, potentiodynamic polarization and impedance methods. The Aegle marmelos was found to be effective corrosion pickling inhibitor. The effect of immersion time revealed that the extracts of Aegle marmelos has maximum inhibition efficiency of 97.5% in presence of an optimum concentration of 8% v/v of the extract at 3 hours of immersion time. Similarly, in gasometric method, maximum efficiency was found to be 97.1% in the same optimum concentration. It was confirmed by potentiodynamic polarization and impedance methods, which showed a maximum efficiency of 97.5% and 96.6% respectively in the concentration 8% in v/v. Potentiodynamic polarization studies indicated that the plant extract behaves as mixed type inhibitor. The adsorption of Aegle marmelos follows Langmuir adsorption isotherm. The inhibition action is due to presence of the alkaloid aegeline in the leaves of Aegle marmelos. The protective film formed on the surface of the mild steel was confirmed by SEM studies.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 52123
Title: A checklist of Benthic foraminifera of Kudankulam Coast, Gulf of Mannar
Author: R.S.Sreerag
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: Benthic Foraminifera, Species diversity, Bioindicators, Kudankulam coast, Gulf of Mannar
Abstract: A total of 15 sediment samples were analysed for benthic foraminiferan contents from the region off Kudankulam coast, Gulf Mannar during November 2006. The study revealed 60 benthic foraminiferan species belonging to 30 genera, 21 families, 10 super families and 4 suborders. Genus Quinqueloculina was most represented by 10 species. Ammonia beccarii and A.dentata were the most abundant species found in the coast. The study has highlighted that the species diversity of foraminiferans in this coast is rich and these organisms could be used as effective environmental health indicators. The report regarding foraminiferans from this region is the first of its kind which can serve as a baseline data for any environment monitoring study in this coast in future.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 52122
Title: Horizontal transfer of antibiotic resistance in the Marine environment
Author: Varsha K. Vaidya and Minu Ali Manzoor
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: Antibiotic resistance, Pathogenic bacteria, Marine environment, Drug resistance plasmids, R factors
Abstract: The discovery of horizontal dissemination of antibiotic resistance in the environment has focused the attention on bacteria carrying infectious drug resistance plasmids (R factors). In the present study, 10 water samples from different coastal marine environments of Mumbai were analysed. Twenty seven organisms including E.coli, K.pneumoniae, P.aeruginosa and Salmonella paratyphi B were isolated. Evaluation of the isolates for their antibiotic resistance by the disc diffusion method revealed varying patterns of resistance of the antibiotics. Plasmid encoded resistance was seen in 74% of the isolates as shown by the loss of plasmids by acridine orange curing. Organisms were further assessed for their ability to transfer the antibiotic resistance by employing sediment associated transformation and transformation in beaker microcosms using the selected representative isolates. Intergeneric transfer of resistance in the natural environment was observed among the isolates by coincubation.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 52121
Title: Photocatalytic degradation of Ortho-Cresol by Zinc oxide -UV process
Author: R. Gladis Latha and M.Shanthi
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: Photocatalytic degradation, Ortho-cresol, UV-irradiation, Catalyst loading, Electron acceptors
Abstract: The photocatalytic degradation of ortho-cresol over irradiated ZnO suspensions was investigated in aerated aqueous solution. Complete and relatively fast substrate degradation was achieved after irradiation with UV light, being the reaction rate dependent on the initial pH. The effect of various parameters such as catalyst loading, pH and initial concentration of o-cresol on degradation has been determined. The degradation was strongly enhanced in presence of electron acceptors such as H 2 O2 , K 2S 2 O8 and KBr O3.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 52120
Title: Role of Self Help Groups in Watershed Management, and Environmental Sustainability: Experiences of Mysore Resettlement and Development Agency (MYRADA) in Karnataka State, India
Author: Farzaneh Shaikh Khatibi and Sadanand M. Yamakanamardi
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: Self help groups, NGOs, Environmental sustainability, Productivity, Water Resource Management, Role of women
Abstract: United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in 1992, places great emphasis on the adoption of ' participatory techniques ' to encourage full public participation in water resources management and development. Experiences of some Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) showed watershed management through Self Help Groups (SHGs). SHGs are the voluntary Organizations, which disburse micro credit to members, which facilitates them to enter into entrepreneurial activities. This enables in mobilizing people ' s participation right from its conceptin to the implementation of project. In India, during mid 1980s SHGs were promoted by Mysore Resettlement and Development Agency (MYRADA) and this Organization has 30 years experience in accompanying SHGs. The present paper intends to study MYRADA ' s experiences about watershed management and environmental sustainability, especially where SHGs are active, and the role of women ' s SHGs for water resource management. The paper concludes with some of the recommendations on how SHGs can become agents for water conservation and environmental sustainability.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 52119
Title: Prediction of groundwater levels using different artificial neural network architectures for Tirupati Mandal
Author: P. Sujatha and G.N.Pradeep Kumar
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: Neural network, Groundwater level, forecasting, Evapotranspiration, Tirupati mandal
Abstract: Performance of four types of functionally different artificial neural network (ANN) models, namely Feed forward neural network, Elman type recurrent neural network, Input delay neural network and Radial basis function network was examined in order to identify an efficient ANN architecture that can simulate the water table fluctuations using a relatively short length of groundwater level records. Due to inherent advantages, Levenberg Marquardt algorithm (trainlm) has been used in the present study. The town Tirupati, located in Chittoor district of the drought-prone Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh having resident population of over 3.0 lakhs and pilgrims of over 50,000 per day was chosen as the study area as its groundwater levels showed a rapid decline in the last decade due to overexploitation for the domestic, agricultural and industrial needs. Accurate prediction of groundwate levels will help the administrators to plan better the groundwater resources. Results show that accurate predictions can be achieved with Feed Forward Neural Network trained with training algorithm Levenberg-Marquardt with the available shorter length data.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 52118
Title: Physico-chemical characteristics of borewell waters of Bellary Taluk, Karnataka, India
Author: T.Suresh, N.M.Kottureshwara, M.Revanasiddappa and Suresh
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: Borewell waters, Water quality, Sodium adsorption ratio, Groundwater monitoring
Abstract: The study area was undertaken in the serial hillocks mining area of Bellary taluk located in the Bellary district, karnataka. The important geological formations in this area were Archean granites (pink to grey), schists/phyllites and peninsular gneiss. The assessment of water quality for its suitability for agricultural and domestic purposes was carried out. The results of chemical analysis for the major ions of 40 water samples, collected from the study area of Bellary taluk, have been evaluated. The quality analysis was performed through the estimation of calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, iron, zinc, manganese, carbonate, bicarbonate, sulphate, chloride, fluoride, nitrate, total alkalinity, total dissolved solids, turbidity, pH, electrical conductance and total hardness. Based on the analysis, certain parameters like sodium adsorption ratio, percent sodium and magnesium ration were calculated. The bicarbonates (68 to 630 mg/L) and total alkalinity (241 to 429 mg/L) were medium and this may be due to the presence of crystalline schists and granitic gneiss in the study area. Based on the Piper trilinear diagram, it is confirmed that the dug wells were characterized by high amount of calcium and magnesium in the mining areas. In the study area 70% of the water samples fall under mainly C2S1,
C3S1 and C3S2, which were suitable for irrigation of most crops as per USSL. The remaining 30% samples falling in C3S3, C4S2, C4S3 and C4S4 were not suitable for irrigation. From SAR classification, 75% of the water samples contained carbonate hardness and only 25% contained non carbonate hardness. The presence of E.coli in only seven dug wells indicated potential and dangerous faecal contamination, which require immediate attention. Fluoride was most dominant ion responsible for contamination of the groundwater. Seven water samples of the study area were prone to excess fluoride concentration (>1.2 mg/L) and not suitable for drinking purpose. These studies indicate that the water quality of 70% of the dug wells is suitable for both domestic and irrigation purposes, where as in the 30% of the water samples, one or the other chemical constituent was found beyond WHO permissible limits. The study indicates the need for periodic monitoring of groundwater in the study area.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None