ID: 58848
Title: Comparitive Biofuel Properties of Groundnut Oil and Reused Groundnut Oil.
Author: K Saranya, J Thamarai Selvi.
Editor: R K Trivedi.
Year: 2013
Publisher: EM International.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Pollution Research, Vol 32(no 2), pp. 301-304 (2013)
Subject: Pollution Research,
Keywords: Biofuel, Reused groundnut oil, Groundnut oil, Physical-chemical properties.
Abstract: Biofuel is becoming prominent among the alternatives to conventional petro-diesel due to economic, environmental and social factors. In this paper we have presented a study of the quality of biodiesel influenced by the physical and chemical properties. The values of physical and chemical properties of biodiesel were compared with American Standards and Testing Materials (ASTM). The physico-chemical properties of groundnut oil and reused groundnut oil were assessed for their potential in biodiesel production. We determined acid value, saponification number, Iodine value, cloud point, pour point, kinetic viscosity, flash point, fire point, copper strip corrosion, cetane number, heat of combustion, specific gravity and boiling point. The results show that the groundnut oil produced high qualilty biodiesel as compared to reused groundnut oil.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58847
Title: Sediment Texture and Organic Carbon Distribution Patterns in Thengapattinam Estuary, Tamil Nadu, South-West Coast of India.
Author: D Helen, A Ramalingom Pillai.
Editor: R K Trivedi.
Year: 2013
Publisher: EM International.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Pollution Research, Vol 32(no 2), pp. 295-299 (2013)
Subject: Pollution Research,
Keywords: Thengapattinam estuary, texture, Organic Carbon (OC), Sediments, Esturine.
Abstract: Detailed texture and organic carbon percentage of the sediments of Thengapattinam estuary covering the entire biotope from the marine to the riverine zone are presented. This estuarine system in Tamil Nadu is found to be a zone of pollution caused by sewage entering the estuary through AVM canal, inflow of water from paddy fields and coconut plantations and also the retting of coconut husk. Seasonal variations of organic carbon content in the sediments were studied in relation to textural pattern. The present study reveals that textural pattern determines the selective enrichment of organic carbon. The sediments are mainly sandy loam, loamy sand, sandy clay loam sand and sand. In monsoon season the sediment was mainly sandy clay loam with higher levels of clay and in the post monsoon and pre monsoon seasons the sediment was found to be sandy loam and loamy sand except in the mouth of estuary. The organic carbon content varied from 0% to 1.326%. Low level of sediment organic carbon was noticed in monsoon season. Correlation between texture and organic carbon reveals that fine grained sediments like sandy loam, loamy sand and sandy clay loam have higher OC content than sand. Hence sediments in the estuarine region have relatively higher OC content than the mouth of the estuary and the riverine system.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58846
Title: Effect of Freeze Storage after Degutting on the Production of TMA-N in Two Scianed Fishes Johnius Belangerii and Nibea Maculata of the coast of Puducherry, India.
Author: A Gunasingh, A Antoniraj, V harikaran, M Amarnath.
Editor: R K Trivedi.
Year: 2013
Publisher: EM International.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Pollution Research, Vol 32(no 2), pp. 289-293 (2013)
Subject: Pollution Research,
Keywords: Tri-methylamine-Nitrogen (TMA-N), Quality indicator, Sciaenids, Freeze storage, With gut and without gut , Food safety.
Abstract: In this study an attempt has been made to assess the production of TMA-N in the Sciaenid fishes Johnius belangerii and Nibea Maculata during cold storage. The impact of storing the fish with gut and after degutting on the production of TMA-N were studied to evaluate the effectiveness of TMA-N as an index for estimating the freshness of fish. The acceptability of the fishes sold in the local market was investigated in relation to the level of TMA-N in the fishes collected from the landing centre. Fishes collected from the landing centre were grouped as Gutted and Without Gut and stored in refrigeration at -4? C. The amount of TMA-N produced in the stored fish in increasing days of storage was determined bio-chemically. The increase of TMA-N was proportionately less in the early hours of storage and significantly increase in the final hours of storage during this study. The TMA-N content of fish stored after degutting was lower than the fish stored with gut. Significant propogation of the market samples had TMA-N content above the standard maximum acceptable limit. The present study documents the effectiveness of Trimethylamine-nitrogen in the estimation of the freshness of fish. This study further indicates that the current methods of fish harvesting, transporting, storage and retailing lack sufficient refrigeration.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58845
Title: Effluent Characterisation of Pulp and Paper Mill in Moradabad and its Impact on Paddy Crop.
Author: Akhil Gupta, Raina Pal, Anamika Tripathi.
Editor: R K Trivedi.
Year: 2013
Publisher: EM International.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Pollution Research, Vol 32(no 2), pp. 283-287 (2013)
Subject: Pollution Research,
Keywords: Effluent, Physico-chemical parameters, Agro-potent.
Abstract: Effluent from pulp and paper industry contains various heavy metals such as Cu, Zn, Pb and Ni and also rich in organic material such as lignin. This offers two possibilities Firstly. It is a waste material which is highly toxic and secondly its toxic impact could be minimized. That can offer huge organic material and valuable nutrient at disposal. Keeping this in view, the effluent was characterized on various physico-chemical parameters and current status has been revealed in this paper. Few pot experiments have been conducted with paddy crop, i.e. at different dilution in order to assess the agro potentiality. It has been revealed that at diluted concentration at about ten percent there was an increase in root length (9%) , shoot length, (14%) germination percentage (3%) as well as seedling dry weight (6%). This reflects the utility of effluent in diluted concentrations specially at ten percent.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58844
Title: Hydrological Profile of Mansar and Surinsar Lakes of Jammu and Kashmir, India.
Author: Anuradha, Randeep S Manhas, Mohit Gera.
Editor: R K Trivedi.
Year: 2013
Publisher: EM International.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Pollution Research, Vol 32(no 2), pp. 277-282 (2013)
Subject: Pollution Research,
Keywords: Hydrological profile of lakes, Mansar, Surinsar, Water quality.
Abstract: Environmental degradation is one of the prime indictors of unsustainable socio-economic and inequitable development. The urgent need for present times is to utilize our natural resources in a sustainable manner so that their depletion is minimised and pollution is kept under control. As the global population continues to increase rapidly, the growing human need for freshwater is leading to a crisis like situation in many parts of the world. The fresh water resources comprise the river systems, groundwater and wetlands. Updated information on environmental changes undergoing in these life support fresh water systems, the State of Jammu and Kashmir is bestowed with a number of lakes and wetlands which have been notified as Ramasar Sites. Mansar and Surinsar are two such lakes located in Jammu region. These lakes for their importance to local communities and tourism are being monitored by the State Pollution Control Board for their water quality. The paper highlights the Physico-chemical characteristics of Mansar and Surinsar lakes based on the parameters recorded during the year 2010-2011. Chemical analysis of lake water sample reveals that the Ca and Mg account for 68% of the cations and HCO3 accounts for 85% of the total anion. The concentration of phosphate (<0.01) confirms that the lakes have entered into eutrophic stage. High values of alkalinity and hardness and their direct relation with each other show that they are resulting from a common source of dissolution of carbonates.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58843
Title: Impact of Earth ' s crustal tides on groundwater regime in confined sedimentary aquifers of Andhra Pradesh, India.
Author: Umamaheshwara Rao Bollimunta.
Editor: R Srinivasan.
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association, Indian Academy of Sciences
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 105(no 6), pp. 842-847 (2013)
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Confined aquifers, crustal tides, ground water regime, lunar attraction, piezometer wells.
Abstract: Signatures of the Earth ' s crustal tides are recorded in the groundwater regime, particularly in confined aquifers in the form of rise and fall of its piezometric heads with high frequency digital water level recorder. The impact of Earth tide on groundwater is clearly recorded at two sites namely, Kothagudem (Khammam district) and Mangapet (Warangal district). The wells at these sites are constructed in the confined aquifer of Kamthi sandstone in Godavari valley which nearly 200km inland from the east coast. Analysis of the data reveals that the piezometric level heads fluctuate in a cyclic manner and the variations for each lunar cycle of 13-14 days with high peaks on new Moon and full Moon days. The peaks observed in the piezometric heads gradually decline coinciding with the lunar phase. Distinct changes in piezometric heads observed for each phase of the Moon in both of the above-mentioned places. An account of impact of lunar and solar attraction forces on piezometric level heads of groundewater, the ideal conditions required for recording this phenomenon along with comparison of these hydrographs with examples from the literature are provided in the present study.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58842
Title: Model for determining geometry of wetted soil zone under subsurface drip irrigation.
Author: D K Singh, R M Singh, K V R Rao.
Editor: R Srinivasan.
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association, Indian Academy of Sciences
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 105(no 6), pp. 832-837 (2013)
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Dimensional analysis, model efficiency, soil water content, subsurface drip irrigation.
Abstract: A model was developed using dimensional analysis approach for determining geometry of wetted soil zone under point sources of water application with subsurface drip irrigation(SDI). The predicted values of wetted depth and width were compared those obtained through field experiments conducted in black versitols at the Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Bhopal, India. Experimentation included determination of maximum depths and widths of wetted soil zone after 0.5, 1, 2,3 and 5 h of water application through SDI laterals placed at 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20 and 0.25m depths below the soil surface. The effect of discharge, depths of placement of laterals and duration of water application on wetted width and depth were observed. Statistical analysis revealed no significant difference between predicted and observed values of wetted width and depth. Predictability of model expressed in terms of model efficiency was found to be 88.7% and 93.3% for wetted width and depth respectively. Therefore, the developed model could be used to simulate wetted depth and width under SDI with point source of water application.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58841
Title: Statistical methodology for the scientometric study of the growth of medical sciences in India
Author: Ashwani Kumar Mishra, Yatan Pal Singh Balhara.
Editor: R Srinivasan.
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association, Indian Academy of Sciences
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 105(no 6), pp. 821-826 (2013)
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Growth trajectory, medical sciences, scientometrics, statistical methodology.
Abstract: There is evidence that the growth of medical literature in India is phenomenal. However, the trajectory of this growth requires further study and the findings need to be disseminated. With this in mind the present study attempts to draw inferences on the trajectory of four broad domains of medical sciences in India over the span of 16 years, utilizing the available scientometrics information. The results are indicative of differential growth trajectory in many sub-disciplines of medical sciences. The specialities such as epidemiology, obstetrics and gynaecology, geriatrics and psychaitry and mental health, need to be pursued more seriously.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58840
Title: Retrieval of forest phenological parameters from remote sensing based NDVI time-series data.
Author: C Prabhakaran, C P Singh, S Panigrahy, J S Parihar.
Editor: R Srinivasan.
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association, Indian Academy of Sciences
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 105(no 6), pp. 795-802 (2013)
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Climate factors, forest phenology, remote sensing, time-series data.
Abstract: Uttara Kannada district has diverse forest types ranging from tropical evergreen to dry deciduous. This study used remote sensing-based NDVI time-series data from 1999 to 2007 to create the phenological curves and maps for every season and each phenological curves and maps for every season and each phenological parameter was carried using TIMESAT program. It was observed that evergreen forest sites in all phenological events. The season starts by August and ends by June the following year in evergreen forests. In deciduous forests, the season starts by May and ends by March the following year. Evergreen forests have longer season than deciduous forests. Maximum temperature and rainfall have negative (r=-0.785) and positive (r=0.502) correlation respectively with start of the season. However, maximum temperature has high positive correlation (r=0.942) with leaf senescence. This article indicates that more studies on the phenology of natural vegetation will help to understand the responses of plants towards the changes in the climatic condition.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58839
Title: Impact of climate change on potato productivity in Punjab - a simulation study.
Author: V K Dua, B P Singh, P M Govindakrishan, Sushil Kumar, S S Lal.
Editor: R Srinivasan.
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association, Indian Academy of Sciences
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 105(no 6), pp. 787-794 (2013)
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Carbon di-oxide concentration, climate change, potato productivity, simulation study, WOFOST model.
Abstract: Impact assessment of climate change on potato productivity in Punjab for three potato cultivars of late (Kufri Badshah), medium (Kufri Jyoti) and early (Kufri Phukraj) maturity groups was carried out for A1FI scenario of temperature and atmospheric CO2 of the years 2020 and 2055. The simulation study was done using WOFOST crop growth model for potential production at 13 locations in Punjab. The results from the simulation study were interpolated using kriging technique to generate maps of potential productivity and the changes thereon. It was estimated that rise in temperature alone will result in change in productivity of Kufri Badshah from +11.6% (Amritsar) to -10% (Fatehgarh) in 2020, whereas the change in productivity of Kufri Jyoti will be from +11.6% (Amritsar) to -11.6%(Fatehgarh) and of Kufri Pukraj from +12%(Amritsar) to -11.5%(Mansa). During this period, CO2 fertilization is expected to increase tuber productivity from +3.9% to 4.5%, depending upon cultivar and location. However, in 2055, a mean decrease of 17.9 (Kufri Badshah), 21.1 (Kufri Jyoti) and 22% (Kufri Phukraj) is likely in the productivity due to rise in temperature only, while the expected rise in CO2 is likely to bring about 17.3(Khufri Badshah) to 18.5% (Kufri Jyoti) increase in potato productivity of potato cultivars will not be affected in 2020 over the baseline scenario, but will decline in 2055 (Kufri Badshah, -2.62%; Kufri Jyoti, -4.6% and Kufri Pukhraj, -5.3%), when the total geographical area of Punjab is considered. It is further shown that if the present distribution of potato acreage within Punjab remains unaltered in future, there will be benefits from climate change as the potential productivity of Kufri Badshah, Kufri Jyoti and Kufri Pukhraj will increase by 3.3%, 3.1%; and 3.6% in 2020, although the potential productivity will again decline to baseline values in 2055 (+0.1%, 1.5% and 1.9% respectively).
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58838
Title: Genotoxicity of chrysotile asbestos on Allium cepa L. meristematic root tip cells.
Author: A K Trivedi, I Ahmad.
Editor: R Srinivasan.
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association, Indian Academy of Sciences
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 105(no 6), pp. 781-786 (2013)
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Chrysotile asbestos, mitotic index, micro-nuclei genotoxicity.
Abstract: Genotoxic and mutagenic potential of chrysotile asbestos on animals and humans has been extensively documented, but limited information is available regarding its effects on plants. In the present study, Allium cepa L. bulbs were exposed to four concentrations (0.5,1.0,2.0 and 5.0 g/ml) of chrysotile asbestos under laboratory conditions and alterations in certain cytogenic parameters were studied at 24h intervals till 96h.
In control plants a time and concentration-dependent decrease in the number of cells in prophase was found, but in exposed plants progression of prophase stage was found to be slow. In control plants, the number of cells in metaphase was found to decrease with time, but in exposed plants a gradual decrease was recorded. A time and concentration-dependent decrease in mitotic index was found in exposed plants compared to respective controls. An increase in the number of interphase nuclei, spindle disturbances, chromosome stickiness and micronuclei formation was also recorded in exposed plants. The present findings report genotoxicity of chrysotile asbestos in plants.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58837
Title: Forest Fragmentation in India.
Author: P S Roy, M S R Murthy, A Roy, S P S Kushwaha, S Singh, C S Jha, M D Behera, P K Joshi, C Jaganadhan, H C Karnatak, S Saran, C S Reddy, D Kushwaha, C B S Dutt, M C Porwal, S Sudhakar, V K Srivatsava, Hitendra Padalia, Subrata Nandy, Stutee Gupta.
Editor: R Srinivasan.
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association, Indian Academy of Sciences
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 105(no 6), pp. 774-780 (2013)
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Fragmentation, hotspots, landscape, remote sensing, vegetation types.
Abstract: Assessment of, and mapping the extent of forest fragmentation is one of the key requirement for undertaking any eco-restoration work. Using a moving window approach on high-resolution geospatial data on vegetation, a fragmentation index was computed across the entire Indian Landscape. On the basis of the index, the forests areas were categorized as high, moderate, low or intact. It was observed that almost half of the forested land is intact in spite of tremendous population pressures, indicating effective protection. Most of the biodiversity-rich forests, such as evergreen, subtropical broadleaf and temperate broadleaf forests, are relatively intact or have a low degree of fragmentation. But highly fragmented regions across the Indian landscape harbour a number of endemic species, some of them of medicinal importance, that need conservation. This study presents an approach to mapping fragmentation caused by socio-economic drivers, namely shifting cultivation, forest villages, infrastructural development, mining and enroachment. This approach provides critical inputs to prioritization and conservation of forests and the associated biodiversity.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58836
Title: Landsat again - continuing remote sensing, monitoring, mapping and measuring.
Author: P K Joshi, Aniruddha Ghosh, Anusheema Chakraborty, Richa Sharma.
Editor: R Srinivasan.
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association, Indian Academy of Sciences
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 105(no 6), pp. 761-763 (2013)
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Landsat, remote sensing, monitoring, mapping. measuring.
Abstract: On 11 February 2013, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), USA, launched the Landsat Data Continuity Mission (LDCM) satellite (Landsat 8), continuing the recordbreaking 40 years of Earth observations under the Landsat programme. The Landsat data are freely shared with the global scientific community, and are used by a wide range of researchers for mapping and monitoring natural resources and decision-making that provide maximum benefit for the environment and people. Here we touch upon the brief history of Landsat series, discuss the specifications of Landsat 8 and prospective applicatiions of its data pertaining to India, in continuation with earlier utilization of such data.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58835
Title: Certification of geospatial data
Author: P K Joshi, Archana Joshi.
Editor: R Srinivasan.
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association, Indian Academy of Sciences
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 105(no 6), pp. 759-760 (2013)
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Certification, Geospatial data, GIS
Abstract: Geospatial data, also known as spatial data, geo data, geographic data or GIS(geographic information system) data, are a collection of facts or information that pertains to a geographic location and characteristics of natural or constructed features and boundaries on, above, or below the Earth ' s surface; especially referring to data that is geographic and spatial in nature. In the simplest terms, they refer to data that contain spatial elements and topology with location characteristics. They are often accessed, manipulated or analysed through GIS. Thus, the definition can be expanded to include spatial, temporal and thematic aspects that permit characterizing any entity in space and time.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58834
Title: Environmental decision-making: the role of culture-induced divergence in cognition.
Author: V V Binoy, Sindhu Radhakrishna.
Editor: R Srinivasan.
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association, Indian Academy of Sciences
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol 105(no 6), pp. 757-758 (2013)
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Environmental decision-making, culture-induced divergence, cognition
Abstract: Much has been written recently about heedless development policies and the environmental disasters they have resulted in. However, although it is easy in hindsight to recognize that certain environmental decisions were improperly made, in reality environmental decision making is a challenging task. National or region-specific environmental decisions typically affect multiple stakeholders with diverse priorities or objectives. Hence reaching an accord that balances the integrity of the ecosystem with the needs of stakeholders require multidisciplinary knowledge bases that integrate information from the natural, social and medical sciences.
Location: TE 15 New Biology Building
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None