ID: 58068
Title: Particulate matter capturing ability of some plant species: Implication for phytoremediation of particulate pollution around Rourkela steel plant, Rourkela, India
Author: Samita Das and Pramila Prasad
Editor: Dr P K Goel
Year: 2012
Publisher: Technoscience Publications, Vol 11, No (4), December 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Nature Environment and Pollution Technology
Keywords: Particulate pollution, dust trapping ability, biological filters, green belt, phytoremediation
Abstract: The particulate pollution has always been a matter of great concern because of its adverse effect on human and plant population. In the present global environmental scenario, this problem has become increasingly severe. The particulates and gaseous pollutants, alone and in combination, can cause serous setbacks to the overall physiology of plants. Results from numerous investigations of human respiratory and other diseases have shown a consistent statistical association between human exposures to the outdoor levels of particulates or dust and adverse health impacts. These hazards are more pronounced in the vicinity of industries where these particles become air-borne and inhalable. Research has shown that plant leaves being the main receptor of particulate pollution can act as biological filters, removing large quantities of particles from the urban atmosphere. This physical trait can be used to determine the level of particulate pollution in the surroundings, as well as the ability of individual plant species to intercept and mitigate particulate pollutants. In hte present study, fifteen plant species (11 trees and 4 shrubs) growing around the Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP) area were selected. Particulate or dust load on leaf surfaces and leaf surface morphology as a measure of dust trapping ability of leaves were analysed. The plant species such as Alstonia scholaris, Anthocephalus indicus, Cassia auriculata, Cassia siamea, Lagerstroemia speciosa, Mimusops elengi, Peltophorum inerme and Tabebuia aurea were found to have high dust capturing capacity; Albizia lebbeck, Bougainvillea spectabilis, Ficus religiosa, Sweitenia mahagoni and Thevetia nerifolia have medium, while species such as Caesalpinea pulcherima and Delonix regia have low dust capturing capacity. Results also indicate that leaf surface morphology greatly determines the dust trapping capacity of a particular plant species.
Location: TE15, New Biological Sciences, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58067
Title: Influence of effective microorganisms (EM) during startup of anaerobic treatment of pulp and paper mill wastewater in HUASB reactor
Author: N Balasubramanian and M Muthukumar
Editor: Dr P K Goel
Year: 2012
Publisher: Technoscience Publications, Vol 11, No (4), December 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Nature Environment and Pollution Technology
Keywords: Anaerobic treatment, pulp and paper mill, effective microorganisms, HUASB reactor
Abstract: Anaerobic treatment of bagasse wash water from paper and pulp mill was studied using a lab scale HUASB reactor of 7.88 L effective volume with three phase system. The initial characteristics of bagasse wash water were: pH 5.2-6.5, TCOD 2000-6000 mg/L, BOD 900-2500 mg/L, TS 4000-4500 mg/L, VSS 1000-1500 mg/L. The reactor was loaded with pulp and paper mill wastewater, seed sludge and activated Effective Microorganisms (EM) operated on continuous mode for a period of 130 days with an HRT varying from 24 to 8 hrs and start up with successful granulation has been achieved. An optimum TCOD removal was attained at the OLR of 7.8 kg COD/m3/day with TCOD removal of 81% with a gas production of 2.66 L/L per dya and 70% of methane gas content with a production rate of 0.29 m3/kg COD removal were observed. The introduction of effective microorganisms has aided the start up period in an efficient way for better acclimatization inside the reactor that facilitate the biomethanation. The SEM analysis also shows stabilized Methanothrix and other microorganims present in the reactor at the end of the start up.
Location: TE15, New Biological Sciences, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58066
Title: Haemato-Biochemical studies on Diclofenac, Ibuprofen and Nimesulide induced toxicity in Broilers
Author: Majid Shafi, Umesh Kumar Garg, Najmus Saqib, Omer Khalil Baba, Badru-Duja Farid and Arshad Wali
Editor: Dr P K Goel
Year: 2012
Publisher: Technoscience Publications, Vol 11, No (4), December 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Nature Environment and Pollution Technology
Keywords: Haemato-biochemical studies, NSAIDS, Toxicity, broilers
Abstract: The present experimental work was conducted to elucidate the haemato-biochemical studies in broiler chicks when treated with diclofenac sodium, ibuprofen and nimesulide. For this study 120 apparently healthy broiler chicks of either sex were randomly divided into 10 groups comprising 10 birds in 9 groups and 30 birds in control group. The broilers of diclofenac groups were administered 10, 20 and 30 mg/kg body weight of diclofenac sodium for 5 days. Similarly the broilers of ibuprofen groups were administered with 15, 30 and 45 mg/kg body weight of ibuprofen with feed for 5 days. The birds of nimesulide groups were administered with 10,20 and 30 mg/kg nimesulide for 5 days. The birds of control group were maintained on feed and plain water to serve as control. There was no significant difference in haematological parameters in birds which are intoxicated with diclofenac, ibuprofen and nimesulide. On the other hand there was significant difference in alkaline phosphatase and BUN biochemical parameters, but no significant difference in total protein and calcium intoxication in chicks.
Location: TE15, New Biological Sciences, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58065
Title: Soil fertility assessment of research and teaching farm of Audu Bako college of Agriculture Danbatta, Kano state, Nigeria
Author: Sanda Ahmad R and Ismail Y M
Editor: Dr P K Goel
Year: 2012
Publisher: Technoscience Publications, Vol 11, No (4), December 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Nature Environment and Pollution Technology
Keywords: Soil fertility, leaching, volatilization, organic manure
Abstract: The most important variables in the soil are the plant nutrient elements. But Savannah soils are known to be low in these variables. Laboratory study was conducted to evaluate the soil fertility status of Audu Bako College of Agriculture Research and Teaching Farm, aimed at assessing these variables. The results of this study shows that all the variables tested. which includes among others exchangeable bases, organic carbon, total nitrogen, available phosphorus and cation exchange capacity (CEC), were low due to high leaching and excessive volatilization, which could be arrested by some practices like mulching, application of more organic manure and supplementing with inorganic fertilizers.
Location: TE15, New Biological Sciences, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58064
Title: Hydrochemistry of the groundwater from coastal aquifer in Amol-Ghaemshahr region, Mazandaran province, North Iran
Author: Houshang Khairy and M R Janardhana
Editor: Dr P K Goel
Year: 2012
Publisher: Technoscience Publications, Vol 11, No (4), December 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Nature Environment and Pollution Technology
Keywords: Hydrochemistry, Coastal aquifer, groundwater, GIS, Mazandaran province, Piper diagram, Gibb ' s plot
Abstract: Present study is an attempt to understand the hydrochemical characteristics of groundwater in Amol-Ghaemshahr region, Mazandaran province in North Iran. Groundwater samples were randomly collected from 77 wells in Amol-Ghaemshahr plain having different depths, varying from 2.4m to 198m. The physico-chemical parameters such as pH, electrical conductivity (EC) and total dissolved solids (TDS) were measured in addition to majro cation and anion concentrations. The abundance of major ions is as follows: Ca2+>Na+>Mg2+>K+ and HCO3->Cl->SO42->NO3-. Thematic maps pertaining to pH, TDS, EC, Cl-, NO3-, SO42-and Na+ were presented in Geographical Information System (GIS) based maps. Different classes in thematic maps were categorized as desirable, permissible and unpermissible based on WHO standards for drinking purposes. The chemistry of water samples from coastal aquifer was interpreted by using classical Piper diagrams. The study indicates that Ca-Mg-HCO3 and Ca-Mg-Cl are the dominant hydrochemical facies followed by Na-Cl and Ca-Mg-SO4 facies. Gibb ' s plot reveals that the mechanisms responsible for controllling chemical composition of the groundwater are both rock-water interaction and evaporation.
Location: TE15, New Biological Sciences, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58063
Title: Effects of land use of ecosystem service function of the Songhua river basin in Harbin region
Author: Fengwen Gong, Wenyi Fan and Li Yuan
Editor: Dr P K Goel
Year: 2012
Publisher: Technoscience Publications, Vol 11, No (4), December 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Nature Environment and Pollution Technology
Keywords: Songhua river basin, urbanization, land use pattern change, ecosystem service vlaue, contribution rate
Abstract: Rapid land use pattern change has taken place in Songhua River basin of old industry base in northeast region of China over the past decades in Harbin region. In this paper, changes in land use pattern in this region were analysed by using Landsat TM data in 1989 and 2007, to quantitatively explore the spatio-temporal LUCC (land use and cover change) characteristics, adn based on this information, the regional ecosystem service value was estimated. Cropland and unused land decreased, while built-up land increased greatly. The greatest change rate occurred in water bodies but the least occurred in cropland. The ecosystem service value increased 4.8490 x 108 yuan, with increasing range of 8.3285%, cropland turned into forestland occurred the greatest positive contribution rate, accounted for 18.9437%, while forestland turned into cropland occurred the greatest negative contribution rate, accounted for 10.2426%. The increase of built-up land impacted the ecosystem service value and ecological environment negatively, and the increase of forestland and water body and the decrease of unused land improved the ecological environment and its ecosystem service values. Those improving the ecological environment were from other types of land use to forestland and water body, however, those worsening the ecological environment were from forest and grassland to cropland and built-up land.
Location: TE15, New Biological Sciences, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58062
Title: Performance evaluation of improved cook stoves
Author: Ch. Someswararao, G Prasanna Kumar, Ch. V V Satyanarayana
Editor: Dr P K Goel
Year: 2012
Publisher: Technoscience Publications, Vol 11, No (4), December 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Nature Environment and Pollution Technology
Keywords: Improved cook stove, thermal efficiency, power rating
Abstract: Approximately 70-80% of the total energy used in villages is consumed for domestic cooking and 80-90% of the domestic energy needs are met through firewood, cow dung and agricultural crop wastes. The bio fuels are being burned in low efficiency traditional cook stoves. The environment within the house is polluted by the smoke emitted from the traditional cook stoves causing ill effect on health of women and children. To alleviate this problem, a number of double pot improved cook stoves (ICSs) have been developed for rural people. Experiments were conducted on different models of cook stoves viz. traditional cook stove, Sukhad, Udairaj and improved Udairaj models to find the thermal efficiency, power rating and specific fuel consumption by conducting water boiling test. Udairaj cook stove was found to have the highest thermal efficiency of 23.4%, whereas traditional cook stove was found to have lowest thermal efficiency of 15.4% among the cook stoves tested. Uadairaj and improved Udairaj cook stoves were found to have similar power rating and lowest specific fuel consumption in the range of 0.811 kw to 0.849 kw adn 1.232 kg/kwh to 1.225 kg/kwh respectively whereas traditional cook stove was found to have lowest power rating of 0.559 kw and highest specific fuel consumption of 1.799 kg/kwh.
Location: TE15, New Biological Sciences, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58061
Title: Removal of Mo(VI) from aqueous solutions using Pyrite and Cinder: Batch and column adsorption studies
Author: F Q Wang, Y M Zhang, J J Lian, Y B Guo, L M Wang and Y X Gao
Editor: Dr P K Goel
Year: 2012
Publisher: Technoscience Publications, Vol 11, No (4), December 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Nature Environment and Pollution Technology
Keywords: Mo(VI) removal, Adsorption, batch and column tests, Cinder, Pyrite
Abstract: Removal of heavy metals from mine tailing effluent has been a long-standing environmental management issue in mining industry. In this study, removal of Mo(VI) from aqueous solutions was investigated using pyrite and cinder. Various parameters such as pH, agitation time and Mo(VI) concentration have been studied in batch experiments for the two materials firstly. The maximum adsorption of Mo(VI) occurred at pH 4.0 for cinder, and 3.0 for pyrite. Kinetic studies showed that Mo(VI) adsorption by the two materials generally obeyed a pseudo second-order model. Furthermore, application of Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models to the adsorption equilibrium data showed that the adsorption behavior obeyed the Langmuir model. The adsorption capacity of cinder and pyrite was found to be 3.01 and 8.35 mg Mo(VI)/g adsorbent. Subsequently, three flow-through columns (Column 1#, Vpyrite: Vcinder = 2:1; Column 2#, Vpyrite: Vcinder = 1:1; Column 3#, Vpyrite: Vcinder = 1:2) were operated for the removal of Mo(VI) for six months. Results indicated the average removal efficiency of Mo(VI) by Column 1# were 47.68%, by Column 2# 50.03%, and by Column 3# were 23.34% respectively. Therefore, the pyrite-cinder mixture (Vpyrite: Vcinder = 1:1) proven to be a feasible adn cost-efficient treatment technology for Mo(VI) removal.
Location: TE15, New Biological Sciences, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58060
Title: Effect of topical treatment of Rosmarinus officinalis Essential Oil on wound healing in Streptozotocin induced diatetic rats
Author: K Umasankar, Balwin Nambikkairaj and D Manley Backyavathy
Editor: Dr P K Goel
Year: 2012
Publisher: Technoscience Publications, Vol 11, No (4), December 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Nature Environment and Pollution Technology
Keywords: Streptozotocin, Wound healting, Rosamarinus officinalis oil, Wistar rats
Abstract: A common complicationof diabetes is impaired wound healing. Systemic Rosmarinus officinalis oil improves healing in diabetics, which is dose dependent and may have side effects. There is very less information regarding topical Rosmarinus officinalis oil use. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of topical Rosmarinus officinalis oil on wound healing. Diabetes was induced in Wistar rats by using streptozotocin. The control group comprised age-matched animals not submitted to streptozotocin injection. Diabetic state was confirmed by glycosuria and hyperglycemia. Under tribromoethanol anaesthesia, four skin wounds (4 mm diameter) were performed on shaved dorsal area (2 each side of median line). Topical Rosmarinus officinalis oil was applied daily only on both wounds on right side of median nline. Animals were sacrificed on day 3 and 7 after surgery and tissue samples were prepared and observed under light microscopy. Histological, histometric and sterological methods were used for analysis. Topical Rosamrinus officinalis oil accelerated wound closure in diabetic and non- diabetic rats and the results were found to be more active than antibiotic treated controls. Topical Rosmarinus officinalis oil could be helpful in diabetics in order to improve the wound healing process avoiding possible adverse effects from systemic medication. All the values were statistically significant.
Location: TE15, New Biological Sciences, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58059
Title: Enhancing the image of urban space, promoting urban history and culture: A case study of the urban design of Wangjiang Avenue
Author: Yang Li
Editor: Dr P K Goel
Year: 2012
Publisher: Technoscience Publications, Vol 11, No (4), December 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Nature Environment and Pollution Technology
Keywords: Space image, urban culture, Wangjiang Avenue, Urban design
Abstract: As regarded as people ' s main activity space in the city, urban roads are the most important part of cities ' public space environment and they are also the main ways to observe and understand the city. So the urban design of cities ' roads is no doubt the most straightforward and effective method to display and enhance the cities ' image. Along with the improvement of people ' s living standard, people ' s requirements of the charm and quality of cities ' s public space environment are becoming higher and higher. This paper takes the urban design of Wangjiang Avenue as an example to do some useful explorations on enhancing cities ' space image.
Location: TE15, New Biological Sciences, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58058
Title: Evaluating environmental land use/land cover change detection in sub urban fringe area around Madurai city using GIS technique
Author: S Muthu Meenakshi and A Sundara
Editor: Dr P K Goel
Year: 2012
Publisher: Technoscience Publications, Vol 11, No (4), December 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Nature Environment and Pollution Technology
Keywords: Land use/land cover, changes, remote sensing, GIS, urbanization and sub urban, fringe area
Abstract: Urban growth is most rapid in the developing world, where cities gain an average of five million residents every month in a year. The rapid urbanization and other infrastructre development in cities made workers to substitute a greater distance between their residencies and the ciites so it encroached industries and businesses to locate or relocate in suburban fringe areas which contain all facilities such as in metropolitan areas. The urban service area-Madurai, a metropolitan area, is currently experiencing linear to horizontal expansion and a variety of development pressures due to the unabated scattered population growth and socio-economic status, which portrays the conversion of agriculture lands, wet lands and number of water bodies into housing and industrial sites in a haphazard manner at the outskirts of the city known as Madurai suburban fringe area. This study evaluates the effectiveness of high-resolution satellite data and computer aided GIS techniques in assessing the land use change dynamics within the study area, Madurai city and its suburban fringe areas, from 2001 to 2008. Satellite images were used for the year 2001 and 2008 at scale 1:50000.
Location: TE15, New Biological Sciences, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58057
Title: Isolation and identification of gram positive biosurfactants producing bacteria from Mighan wetland in Iran
Author: N Fazaeli, N Bahador, and A jamalian
Editor: Dr P K Goel
Year: 2012
Publisher: Technoscience Publications, Vol 11, No (4), December 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Nature Environment and Pollution Technology
Keywords: Biosurfactant producing bacteria, Lipopeptide, Mighan wetland
Abstract: Biosurfactants are surface active compounds which are produced by bacteria, fungi and yeasts. Most of them have different structures including: lipopeptides, glycolipids, polysaccharides, protein complexes, fatty acids and phospholipids. Nowadays, due to their useful properties, they have attracted attention of many. Therefore, the present study was conducted to isolate Gram positive bacteria capable of producing biosurfactants from Mighan Wetland in Iran. Accordingly, the isolated microorganisms were evaluated using oil spreading technique with different types of haemolysis tests. The selected microorganisms were detected by their ability to produce surfactants using TLC. The results indicated that out of seven different isolated genera two were characterized as Bacillus firmus and Staphylococcus sp. On the other hand, oil spreading technique indicated that organisms are able to produce biosurfactants. In addition, extracted biosurfactant on TLC plates and applying ninhydrin reagent indicated the lipopeptide structure of the biosurfactant by producing red spot. Hence, the present study illustrated that this area of investigation could be a suitable place for isolation of microorganism with capability to produce biosurfactants and it could be used for further study and applications.
Location: TE15, New Biological Sciences, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58056
Title: Ecological effects and occupational health hazards due to coir retting: A case study from West coast of Kerala, India
Author: M Kadeeja Beevi, S Sreekumar and Hiran Nazir K
Editor: Dr P K Goel
Year: 2012
Publisher: Technoscience Publications, Vol 11, No (4), December 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Nature Environment and Pollution Technology
Keywords: Kayamkulam backwaters, Coir Retting, Biodiversity, Health hazards
Abstract: The backwater of Kerala is becoming polluted due to persistent retting of coconut husk for the manufacture of coir. This paper assesses the ecological status of the retting ground and brings out the occupational health hazards due to coir retting. It is observed that the quality of water becomes deteriorated due to retting and plankton and benthic fauna show low community diversity. The paper also highights the occupational health hazards observed among the coir workers.
Location: TE15, New Biological Sciences, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58055
Title: Towards a rapid and repeatable assessment indicator system for wetland ecosystem: Example from the Poyang lake National Nature Reserve, China
Author: Innocent Ndoh Mbue, Jiwen Ge, Mainza Sibajene and Zhaojun Wu
Editor: Dr P K Goel
Year: 2012
Publisher: Technoscience Publications, Vol 11, No (4), December 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Nature Environment and Pollution Technology
Keywords: Poyang lake, Rapid and repeatable, indicator system, signal to noise ratio, monitoring of wetlands
Abstract: Six wetland sites in the Poyang Lake, the largest freshwater lake in China, were sampled by two observers with different levels of experience following a two-day training workshop for a suite of scientifically defensible, rapid and repeatable indicator system that can serve as a blueprint to be used routinely in the area. A probabilistic random-stratified sampling design was used to select sites to be sampled. Field protocols consisted of different sections including scoring boundary forms, and quantitative ratings. Metric scores were assigned using the ratings for the current state of the wetland, without regard for what the wetland might have been in the past, or what it might become in the future. The variance in observer to observer scoring at each site was used to calculate pooled standard deviations, coefficients of variation, and signal-to-noise ratios for each survey. The results showed that the relationship between pairs of observer scores had little observer bias (rho = 0.845, p<0.01) for all the sites in the surveyed. Training could have had a significant contribution to observer to observer repeatability. We are confident that, as developed, these indicators could be successfully applied for monitoring and assessing wetlands, recognizing that further field testing and verifications are still needed.
Location: TE15, New Biological Sciences, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58054
Title: Pesticide residues monitoring in some agricultural soil samples of Taybad, Eastern Iran
Author: Mohammad Nasser Modoodi and Saleh Mahmudian Niar
Editor: Dr P K Goel
Year: 2012
Publisher: Technoscience Publications, Vol 11, No (4), December 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Nature Environment and Pollution Technology
Keywords: Pesticide residues, agricultural soils, pollution, Taybad district
Abstract: The main objective of this study was focused on determining the likely presence of pesticide residues in agricultural soil samples in Taybad district, Khorasan Razavi Province, Iran. Ten agricultural soil samples were taken from different farms were analysed using gas chromatography (GC) method consisting of electron capture detector (ECD) for organochlorine pesticides (OCPs). Seven soil samples were eventually found to be positively polluted by pesticide residues (70% of the samples) including dieldrin, alpha-HCH, beta-HCH, endosulfan-1, p, p ' - DDT, and o,p-DDT. Although endosulfan-1 occurred with the most frequency compared to other residues (0.0014 ppm), all the detected pesticide residues were quietly in low concentrations.
Location: TE15, New Biological Sciences, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None