ID: 58203
Title: Run-off potential assessment over Indian landmass: a macro-scale hydrological modelling approach
Author: jS P Aggarwal, Vaibhav Garg, Prasun K Gupta, Bhaskar R Nikam, Praveen K Thakur and P S Roy
Editor: P Balaram
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association, Vol 104, No 7, 10 April 2013
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Hydrological modelling, run-off potential, variable infiltration capacity, water balance
Abstract: The evolution of land-atmosphere-ocean models has resulted in the need for hydrologic models applicable to large areas and river basins. Such developments offer new challenges and opportunities for hydrologists to understand the hydrologic response of areas as large as continents. In the present study, the ability of variable infiltration capacity (VIC) hydrological model has been studied to assess run-off potential and other hydrological components for entire India. VIC is a semi-distributed macroscale hydrological model designed to represent surface energy, hydrological fluxes and states at scales from large river basins to the entire globe. It is grid-based model which quantifies the dominant hydro-meteorological process taking place at the land surface-atmospheric interface. In the present study, the model was forced with 15 years daily precipitation, maximum and minimum air temperature at daily time-step on 25 x 25 km grid. The water balance of entire India has been studied and the model results on daily, monthly and annual timescales are discussed. It was found that the VIC model results in idealistic hydrology as it takes into account a large number of parameters influencing the process. It was realized that to study such a complex hydrological a large region, requires enormous data; in this regard remote sensing data may play an important role. The model can easily be adopted to get primarily information on water balance at any scale
Location: TE15, New Biological Sciences, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58202
Title: Climatological study of turbulence structure constant over two tropical stations, Mumbai and Guwahati in India
Author: S Rambabu, J S Pillai, A Agarwal and H J Goswami
Editor: P Balaram
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association, Vol 104, No 7, 10 April 2013
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Atmospheric turbulence, refractive index, turbulence structure constant, wind profiles
Abstract: Wind profiling radars operating at VHF and UHF bands are highly sensitive to radio-refractive index variation associated with small-scale atmospheric turbulence. The measurement of atmospheric turbulence at these radar stations may be used to estimate the range of the radar that can be achieved based on its sensitivity. Turbulence structure constant (Cn2) is one of the basic parameters to measure turbulence. In the present study, climatological (2000-2011) variation of Cn2 from 1 to 20 km height over Mumbai (720 51 ' E, 190 6 ' N) and Guwahati (91034 ' E, 2606 ' N) regions using radiosonde data has been analysed. It has been observed that the mean Cn2 values over the two stations are in the range 10-18 to 10-12 m-2/3. The Cn2 values are higher in the lower troposhpere where both temperature and humidity gradients contribute to refractive index variation, and lower in the middle and upper troposphere where moisture gradient is negligible. The lowest values of Cn2are observed just below the tropopause region between 10 and 16 km over Guwahati and 10 and 13 km over Mumbai region. As a coastal station, Mumbai shows higher values of Cn2(two orders of magnitude) at the surface and lower troposphere compared to Guwahati. It has been observed that over the two stations, in the lower troposphere the Cn2values of summer (March-May) and southwest monsoon period (June-September) are higher than post-monsoon (October-November) and winter (December-February) period.
Location: TE15, New Biological Sciences, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58201
Title: Challenges to food security in India
Author: P S Brahmanand, A Kumar, S Ghosh, S Roy Chowdhury, R B Singandhupe, R Singh, P Nanda, H Chakraborthy, S K Srivastava and M S Behera
Editor: P Balaram
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association, Vol 104, No 7, 10 April 2013
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Challenges adn threats, crop production, food security, globalization
Abstract: The need for achieving food security is felt significantly in the recent years due to enormous presure form the ever-increasing population in India. Owing to the change in preferences in crop production techniques over a period of time, several new challenges draw attention to food security. This article discusses various challenges to food security in India. Critical analysis is made on challenges like crop diversification, issues related to bio-fuel and medicinal plant cultivation, climate change, mismatch between water demand and availability, recent status in production of high-yielding crop varieties and agricultural crop pricing and insurance and new trends in globalization and urban encroachments.
Location: TE15, New Biological Sciences, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58200
Title: Citation analysis to reconstruct the dynamics of Antarctic ozone hole research and formulation of the Montreal Protocol
Author: Olle Persson and Prabir G Dastidar
Editor: P Balaram
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association, Vol 104, No 7, 10 April 2013
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Bibexcel, Ozone hole, policy research, protocol, scientometrics, weighted direct citation
Abstract: The ozone layer acts like a shield in safeguarding the Earth by preventing the harmful ultraviolet radiations from entering into the atmosphere. Reported damage to the ozone layer in 1985 was a significant milestone in Antarctic science research. The research work played a significant role in generating international socio-political debate on this great environmental crisis. This article aims to reconstruct the intellectual developments in the field and identify important scientific events which contributed to the formulation of the world ' s most successful multilateral treaty, the Montreal Protocol. The dynamics of the research field was mapped using a newly developed indicator-weighted direct citations (WDC). The WDC value indicates intellectual closeness between two citations in terms of co-citations and shared references. Direct citations were weighted with shared references and co-citations to derive WDC values. An attempt was made to decompose the citation network of articles to identify significant activity layers. The work of J C Farman et al. (1985) and S. Solomon (1986), which are the top two most cited singnificant papers in the subject accounts for top WDC values jointly.
Location: TE15, New Biological Sciences, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58199
Title: Conservation of bee trees as world heritage sites
Author: D P Abrol
Editor: P Balaram
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association, Vol 104, No 7, 10 April 2013
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: None
Abstract: None
Location: TE15, New Biological Sciences, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58198
Title: The earliest findings on the role of smoke as a germination cue were reported by P. Parija and co-workers from India
Author: Rakesh Pandey, Vijay Paul, S C Bhargava, Malavika Dadlani
Editor: P Balaram
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association, Vol 104, No 7, 10 April 2013
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: None
Abstract: None
Location: TE15, New Biological Sciences, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58197
Title: Histopathological changes observed in the gill, liver and kidney of the freshwater fish Rasbora daniconius exposed to sugar industry effluent
Author: V B Kakade, J P Sarwade and Y K Khillare
Editor: Dr R K Trivedy
Year: 2013
Publisher: EM International, Vol 32 (1), 2013
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Pollution Research
Keywords: Rasbora daniconins, Sugar industry effluent, histopathlogical changes, organs
Abstract: Effect of sugar industry effluent on histopathalogical changes in freshwater fish Rasbora daniconius has been studied exposing it for short term bioassay for 24, 48, 72 and 96 h and LC50 values were found 12.5, 12, 11.5 and 11% respectively. The affected tissues such as gill showed destruction of epithelial cells and few lamellae were curled and liver shows marked hepatic cell proliferation with nuclear hypertrophy and necrosis. Dilated renal tubule and necrosis were noted in the kidney.
Location: TE15, New Biological Sciences, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58196
Title: Characterization of industrial wastewaters in Sierra Leone. A preliminary study
Author: Ronnie A D Frazer- Williams and John Conteh
Editor: Dr R K Trivedy
Year: 2013
Publisher: EM International, Vol 32 (1), 2013
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Pollution Research
Keywords: Characterization, effluent characteristics, Industrial wastewaters, pollutants
Abstract: The wastewater generated from four different categories of industry in Sierra Leone is investigated in an attempt to characterize them into their biodegradability and to have a first insight into the treatment method(s) that could be applicable to them. The industries are: Sierra Leone Brewery, Mega Cola, Abbartoir, Gara tie dye (textile) and a hotel. Results of C:N:P ratio of the various wastewaters indicate that the Hotel and Mega Cola wastewaters are easily biodegradable and could be treated by normal biological wastewater treatment systems. On the other hand, the Gara tie dye wastewater is the most nutrient deficient followed by the Brewery and Abattoir wastewaters. Furthermore, the Gara tie dye and abattoir waste waters are highly alkaline in nature. Only the Gara wastewater has an unusual high chloride content. The Gara wastewater can pose serious challenge to biological treatment processes.
Location: TE15, New Biological Sciences, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58195
Title: A pragmatic approach to a wste free oil and gas exploration and production activities in the Niger delta regin of Nigeria
Author: Okorie E, Agwu and Francis D Udoh
Editor: Dr R K Trivedy
Year: 2013
Publisher: EM International, Vol 32 (1), 2013
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Pollution Research
Keywords: Oil exploration and production, waste generation, Minimization, Environment, Niger Delta region
Abstract: The production of oil and gas involves various phases in which waste is generated. Inadquate treatment of this waste can habe serious implication on human health and safety as well as on the environment. The objective of this paper, threrefore, is to provide an overivew of different oil and gas operations and the waste fractions they generate in order to find the best available wasy of minimizing their generation and utilizing them in the event that they are generated. In order to fulfill this objective, an analytical approach was adopted and the fields in the Niger Delta Region were used as case study to display real types of waste generated. The results indicate that produced water and drill mud and cuttings are among the most significant waste fractions generated from oil and gas industry activities in the Niger Delta Region. In this study, it is shown that several methods can be used to reduce the amount of waste gneerated from the sourced. It is found that other technologies are adequate for an optimum utilization of the generated waste. The proper combination of these methods wouild lead to a reduction and a better management of the generated waste. This would in turn lead to lower enviornmental impacts and hazards on human health and safety. Suggestions are proffered for oil and gas Exploration and Production (E& P) companies who may require information on the range of waste management options that are available for wastes generated by their activities.
Location: TE15, New Biological Sciences, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58194
Title: An investigation into the behaviour and strength of RC elements strengthened with GFRP composites
Author: P Saravanakumar, N R Chitra and R Murugesan
Editor: Dr R K Trivedy
Year: 2013
Publisher: EM International, Vol 32 (1), 2013
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Pollution Research
Keywords: GFRP, composites, strengthening, concrete
Abstract: Majority of structures that were built in India during 20th century are seismically deficient. The performance of these structures may be very poor under lateral loads due to earthquake. Seismic strengthening of these older structures has been an important issue in this country and elsewhere, and also demolishing of these old structures will create the environmental pollution problem. Hence Effective strengthening technique is needed to improve their structural capacity. Externally bonded FRP has emerged as a new structural strengthening technology for strengthening of RC structurs for both in new construction and repair and retrofits. This research study is concerned with the investigation of the efficiency of GFRP (Glass Reinforced Polymer) ocmposites in strengthening reinforced concrete elements. This research study on RC elements strengthened with GFRP composites were carried out as: Group (I): six numbers of normal beam Elements, Group (II): 12 beams addressing influence of strengthening the flexure zone and their flexural capacity were compared. Group (III) six beams addressing the influence of strengthening the shear zones and their shear capacity were compared. Group (IV) six columns tested under axial load with and without wrapping. The results indicaet that there is a significant increase in the load carrying capacity of RC elements with GFRP composites wrapping to the extent of 13-15%.
Location: TE15, New Biological Sciences, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58193
Title: On the water quality of fish ponds and their suitability for fish production in west Godavari and Krishna districts of Andhar Pradesh, India
Author: M Phani Kumar, K Sree Ramulu and B Prema Raju
Editor: Dr R K Trivedy
Year: 2013
Publisher: EM International, Vol 32 (1), 2013
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Pollution Research
Keywords: Temperature, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, pH hardness, Alkalinity, Ammonia nitrite, Nitrate, Fish culture
Abstract: The paper deals with the physico-chemical parameters of water in fish ponds of west Godavari and Krishna districts of Andhra pradesh for a period of one year-2008- ' 09. In the present investigation, the following observations were noticed. The water temperature is low (25.20C) during January and high (34.20C) during May in west Godavari whereas in Krishna the lowest was 250C (February) and 33.30C (May). The sechhi disc turbidity was also varying from 0.22 m (October) to 0.35 m (August) in West Godavari (pond 1) the same in Krishna (pond 2) ranges from 0.23 m (December) to 0.40 m (June). The dissolved oxygen ranges from 2.9 mg/L (July) to 5.21 mg/L (Mar) and 3.32 mg/L (Apr) to 5.8 mg/L (July and Sept) in pond 1 and 2 respectively. The pH levels of West Godavari district ranges from 7.36 (Feb) to 8.8 (Jan) whereas the pH levels of Krishna district ranges from 7.85 (Feb) to 8.7 (Sept). The hardness levels ranges from 148 ppm (Aug) to 305 ppm (Dec) in pond 1 and ranges from 178 ppm (Feb) to 340 ppm *(Nov) in pond 2. Alkalinity levels of West Godavari district ranges from 198 ppm (Jan) to 312 ppm (Jul) whereas the Alkalinity levels of Krishna district ranges from 172 ppm (Apr) to 310 ppm (Jul). The Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate in pond 1 were 0.47 + 0.35 ?m, 0.027+0.01 ?m, 1.89+0.57 ?m respectively whereas the same varibles in pond2 are 0.31+0.2 ?m, 2.17+ 0.82 ? m, 1.89+0.57 ?m respectively.
Location: TE15, New Biological Sciences, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58192
Title: Monitoring and evaluation of the concentraton levels of total iron and manganse in three reservoirs of the man made river, Libya
Author: Intisar M Alakili and Aiman M Bobaker
Editor: Dr R K Trivedy
Year: 2013
Publisher: EM International, Vol 32 (1), 2013
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Pollution Research
Keywords: Iron, Manganese, water quality, The man-made river, Libya
Abstract: The concentration levels of total iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn) were determined in the three reservoirs of the Man Made River. The three water reservoirs are Sirt, Ajdabiya, and Al-Talhiya reservoirs. Fe and Mn were detected in all the raw water samples collected from the three reservoirs and significant variations in their concentrations have been observed (P<0.001). High concentration levels of the total Fe and Mn were observed in water samples collected from Al-Talhiya reservoir, while the low concentration levels of the total Fe and Mn were observed in the Sirt reservoir. The results indicated that, the mean levels of total Fe and Mn in the raw water of Al -Talhiya reservoir (0.732 +0.41 mg L-1 for total Fe and 0.269+0.012 mgL-1 for total Mn) and Ajdabiya reservoir (0.535 +0.053 mg L-1 for total Fe and 0.202+0.019 mgL-1 for total Mn) were much higher than the maximim permissible level for drinking water of 0.3 mg/L and 0.1 mg/L for Fe and Mn, respectively. as given by teh World Health Organization (WHO 2011) and Libyan Water Quality Standard (1982). However, the mean levels of total Fe and Mn in the raw water of Sirt reservoir (0.293+0.048 mgL-1 for total Fe and 0.106 +0.024 mgL-1 for total Mn) was well below the permissible levels. The results also indicated that, there is a close relationship between raw water quality and total Fe and Mn levels in raw water at these reservoirs.
Location: TE15, New Biological Sciences, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58191
Title: Alteration in blood enzymes following nitrogen dioxide exposure in Albino rats, Rattus norvegicus (Berkenhout)
Author: Kuntal Kalra and Asha Agarwal
Editor: Dr R K Trivedy
Year: 2013
Publisher: EM International, Vol 32 (1), 2013
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Pollution Research
Keywords: Air pollution, rat, Nitrogen dioxide, hematology, blood
Abstract: Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is an ubiquitous air pollutant and chief constituent of photochemical smog. Different concentrations of nitrogen dioxide were used for the exposure. The present study was conducted to study the effects of nitrogen dioxide inhalation in blood of albino rat, as the change in composition of blood could indicate changes in metabolic pathways of some organs. Healthy male albino rats, Rattus norvegicus (Berkenhout) were exposed to 35 ppm and 70 ppm of nitrogen dioxide gas for one hour per day for 15 days and 30 days in order to examine alterations in blood enzymes. Activities of Glucose -6 Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G-PD), Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH), Serum Alkaline Phosphatase, Serum Glutamate Oxaloacetate Transaminase (SGOT) and Serum Glutamate Pyruvate Transaminase (SGPT) increased significantly after exposure to different concentrations of nitrogen dioxide gas. This indicaetd tissue damage in the rats due to inhalation of toxic nitrogen dioxide gas.
Location: TE15, New Biological Sciences, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58190
Title: Ganesh idol immersion and its impacts on planktonic diversity at Chothavilai beach, Kanyakumari district, Tamilnadu, South India
Author: V Mary Kensa and S Sangeetha
Editor: Dr R K Trivedy
Year: 2013
Publisher: EM International, Vol 32 (1), 2013
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Pollution Research
Keywords: Idol immersion, health, materials, plankton and water
Abstract: Idol immersion in surface water bodies is an age old practice. Increase in the number of idols and change in the materials used for idol making has negative impacts on the water quality of the water bodies in which tehy are immersed. Persent study is focused on the assessment of water quality of Chothavilai beach sea water, Kanyakumari district. Immersion of idols in water body has resulted in deterioration of this water quality by accumulation of toxic chemicals and sediments. For the purpose of study, samples wre collected before, during and after idol immersion from the study area. The collected and preserved concentration of phytoplankton samples were labelled for further analysis. Numerical plankton analysis was carried out using inverted microscope. The phytoplankton were identified with the help of monographs. Sixty one phytoplankton and ninezooplankton are reported during pre-idol immersion and following during and post noticed during and post idol immersion period. The findings of the study revealed that idol immersion activity has negative impact on water quality of study area. The regular practise of idols immersion in the water body will certainly lead to severe deteriortion in water quality.
Location: TE15, New Biological Sciences, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58189
Title: Synthesis and characterization of silver nanoparticles using the marine algae Ulva lactuca
Author: N Sangeetha, K S Priyenka Devi and K Saravanan
Editor: Dr R K Trivedy
Year: 2013
Publisher: EM International, Vol 32 (1), 2013
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Pollution Research
Keywords: Ulva lactuca, Bio synthesis, Silver nanoparticles, Bioreduction property
Abstract: Bio synthesis of nanoparticles is a green chemistry approach that interconnects microbial biotechnology and nanotechnology. The most exciting aspects in modern nanoscience and nanotechnology are the synthesis of nanomaterials with the desired quality. The bioreduction property of the aquatic seaweed leaves extracts such as Ulva lactuca in the synthesis of silver nanoparticles was investigated by the spectrophotometric method. Transmission Electron Micoscopy, UV-V is Spectroscopy and EDAX Analysis conformed the formation of Silver Nanoparticle. The synthesized Ag-NPs were predominantly spherical in shape and polydispersal. Absorption spectra of Ag-NPs formed in the reaction media has absorbance peak at 490 nm, broadening of peak indicated that the particles are polydispersed. Fourier Transform Infra-Red spectroscopy analysis showed that the synthesized nano-Ag was capped with bimolecular compounds which are responsible for reduction of silver ions. This study may be used in the development of value-added products from the seaweed leaves for biomedical and nanotechnology based industries.
Location: TE15, New Biological Sciences, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None