002047   Vijayaraman K;John G;Siva Kumar (P.G. & Research Department of Zoology, Periyar V.R. College, Tiruchirappalli-620 023) : Phytoremediation of textile dyeing effluents containing heavy metals copper and cadmium. J Ecotoxic envir Monit 2007, 17(5), 473-8.

Study attempts to find a low cost, but effective technology to remove heavy metals from dyeing effluents, through phytoremediating techniques using powedered dry shoots of alfalfa (Medicago sativa). Factory treated effluents collected at the discharge points at Karur were diluted with water and subjected to phytoremediation using equilibrium batch sorption tests. Eighty five percent of the metal was seen to be adsorbed to the biosorbent. The results of study were found to agree with equilibrium absorption isotherm models of Langmuir and Freundlich. More than 80% of the absorbed metals could be recovered with 0.1 M HCl.

4 tables, 9 ref

002046   Varghese J;Jaya D S (Environmental Sciences Dep, Kerala Univ, Kariavattom, P.O. Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala-695 581) : Drinking water quality assessment of rain water harvested in ferrocement tanks in Alappuzha district, Kerala (India). J envir Sci Engng 2008, 50(2), 115-20.

The study was conducted to assess the physico-chemical and bacteriological quality of stored rain water in the ferrocement tanks of Alappuzha District, Kerala (India). Representative water samples were collected on random basis from ten stations (S₁ to S₁₀) with rain water harvesting facility during the periods January 2006 and April 2006. The present study revealed that the physico-chemical characteristics of stored rain water analysed during the winter and summer seasons were within the permissible drinking water standard limits prescribed by W.H.O. Microbiological analysis showed that most of the stored rainwater samples had microbial contamination in both winter and summer seasons and the bacterial count was above the permissible standards for drinking water. Faecal coliforms were also detected in the stored rain water samples collected from eight stations during the summer season. The present study revealed that the quality of stored rain water is suitable for drinking purpose in terms of physical and chemical characteristics. However, disinfection is necessary to make the water microbially safe for drinking purposes.

1 illus, 3 tables, 7 ref

002045   Varadarajan N;Purandara B K (Hard Rock Regional Centre, National Institute of Hydrology, Hanumannagar, Belgaum-590 001) : Fluoride contamination in ground water of Malaprabha sub basin. J envir Sci Engng 2008, 50(2), 121-6.

The fluoride contamination study has been carried out in ground waters of Khanapur, Bailhongal and Saundatti taluks of Malaprabha sub basin, Belgaum district, Karnataka (India). 21 samples were collected from different locations covering shallow and deep aquifers. The samples were collected during the pre-monsoon and post-monsoon season of 1999. The fluoride concentrations varied from 0.55 to 3.85 mg/L during pre-monsoon and 0.20 to 3.50 mg/L during post-monsoon seasons. Higher concentration of fluoride was observed in Ugargol village of Saundatti taluk. It was observed that about 28.60% of the samples have fluoride concentration less than 1 mg/L, 23.80% have concentration in the range of 1.0-1.50 mg/L, 42.85% have concentration in the range of 1.50 - 3.0 mg/L and 4.75% have concentration more than 3.0 mg/L during the pre-monsoon. During post-monsoon, it was found that about 35% of the samples have fluoride concentration less than 1.00 mg/L, 25% have concentration in the range of 1.0 - 1.50 mg/L, 35% have concentration in the range of 1.50 - 3.0 mg/L and 5% have concentration more than 3.0 mg/L. A positive correlation of fluoride was observed with bicarbonate, alkalinity and pH during the pre-monsoon and with EC, TDS, carbonate, bicarbonate and potassium during the post-monsoon. This suggests that source of fluoride may be partially from potassium rich rocks and constituents of fertilizers leaching down to ground water. The regression equations have been developed between fluoride and other water quality parameters.

2 illus, 5 tables, 8 ref

002044   Talebi S M;Malekiha M (Chemistry Dep, Isfahan Univ, Isfahan 81744, Iran) : Simultaneous determination of trace heavy metals in ambient aerosols by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry after pre-concentration with sodium diethyldithiocarbamate. J envir Sci Engng 2008, 50(3), 197-202.

The simultaneous determination of heavy metals associated with airborne particulate matter in the atmosphere of the city Isfahan (Iran) was performed by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) after pre-concentration with sodium diethyldithiocarbamate. The pre-concentration procedure developed found instrumental to determine the trace heavy metals associated with ambient aerosols collected at a short sampling period or collected from rural areas where the concentrations of these metals are much less than those in urban areas. Several samples were analyzed by both flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) as a conventional method and the proposed method. The results obtained by the two methods were found in good agreement. The method was applied to the determination of atmospheric level of heavy metals in rural area and also for study of variation in levels of heavy metals in urban atmosphere during the days and nights.

4 illus, 3 tables, 16 ref

002043   Sthapak A K;Killedar D J;Bhole A G (Reader in Civil Engineering, Govt. Engineering College, Ujjain-456 010, Email: atulsthapak@yahoo.co.in) : Applicability of liquid ion exchange to alum recovery from waste stabilization pond sludge. J envir Sci Engng 2008, 50(3), 227-34.

The evaluation of the tertiary application of relatively low doses of alum for improving the overall performance and reliability of existing wastewater treatment plants. With this type of system, the additional capability for phosphorus removal is imbibed by simply altering the chemical dose. The study was conducted on wastewater from a stabilization pond having capacity of 54 mld, which was treating municipal wastewater from Ujjain city. The wastewater had suspended colloidal impurities.

7 illus, 6 tables, 7 ref

002042   Steven W C K;Daud M;Adam N M;Sapuan S M; Samin R;Ismail N (Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Putra, Malaysia-43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia) : Particulate and black smoke emissions from palm oil mill boilers in Sarawak, Malaysia. J Ecotoxic envir Monit 2007, 17(5), 445-53.

The aim of the study is assess the status of particulate and black smoke emission compliance to Department of Environment (DOE), Malaysia standard of palm oil mill boilers in Sarawak, Malaysia. The specific objectives are to analyze boiler operating parameters and management aspect, which affect the level of emissions from the boiler exhaust. Data from 26 palm oil mills with 44 stacks between 1999 and 2003 were used for the analysis. There are two methods used in the data collection and analysis Ringelmann chart and data urveying. Anova (analysis of variance) whowed that out of 26 palm oil mills selected for the study, the range of particular emission emitted by these mills was 0.26 to 2.33 gm/Nm³. The particulate emission from 18 of mills with 34 boiler (77%) has exceeded the permissible limit of 0.4gm/Nm³ as stated clearly under Environment Quality (Clean air) Regulations 1978 by the Department of Environment (DOE), Malaysia with average particulate emission of 0.76 mg/Nm³. Whereas for black smoke compliance, the range of black smoke emission level was 2.74% and 71.O% and 32 out of 46 boilers (73.0%) were also failed to comply with DOE's limit of not more than 40% or shade no.2 on ringelmann chart. The study using t-test indicated that as the number of black smoke increases, the level of particulate emission was also increased. The result from multiple regression analysis also showed that continuous variables of boiler operating parameters such as age of boiler.iler load (fuel consumption) and operating hours have significant effect on the level of particulate emissions. It should be a proper control of the boiler operating parameters, the level of particulate and black smoke emission from boiler's chimney will be able to achieve within an acceptable level which imposed by DOE.

6 tables, 4 ref

002041   Srikantaswamy S;Krishnegowda P H;Raghunath T (Geology Dep, Yuvaraja's College, Mysore-570 005, Email: srikantas@hotmail.com) : Assessment of groundwater status around industrial areas of Mysore city, Karnataka, India. J Ecotoxic envir Monit 2007, 17(5), 463-71.

Among the 30 planning districts of Mysore, planning district No.28 and 30 are predominantly industrial. In this study an attempt has been made to assess the groundwater quality of above said area. The industiral activities and residences in this region are mainly depending upon the ground water. Groundwater has been collected from 10 locations which were widely spread throughout the study area and were analyzed to determine the physic-chemical and biological parameters. The ground water in the study area of low to medium salinity and having carbonate type of hardness with the calcium and nitrate compounds are more.

3 illus, 4 tables, 8 ref

002040   Sreelatha V N;Shaji E;Viju B J (Central Ground Water Board, Govt. of India, 'Kedaram', Thiruvananthapuram-695 004, Email: shajicgwb@yahoo.co.in) : Colour change in a domestic well in Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala, India. Chem envir Res 2007, 16(3-4), 307-12.

2 illus, 2 tables, 4 ref

002039   Sonavane P G;Munavalli G R;Ranade S V (Civil Engineering Dep, Walchand College of Engineering, Sangli-416 415, Email: patya67@yahoo.com) : Nutrient removal by root zone treatment systems. J envir Sci Engng 2008, 50(3), 241-8.

The Root Zone Treatment System (RZTS) has been used widely for nutrient removal in European countries. In spite of having its more adaptability in tropical region like India its use to address nutrient induced issues in the country is very less. The lack of widely accepted data, non consensus of scientists over nutrient removal mechanism and inability to apply performance standards observed in other countries directly might have hampered the acceptance of this technology in India. A few technology assessment programs are being conducted in collaboration with other countries to engineer this technology but nutrient removal aspects are not essentially focused. In this context, there is need to direct lab scale research to identify potential wetland plants, bed media and comparative study of their combination specific performance under similar conditions. The field application of the data will help to understand variability in performance and disparities in the mechanism. The systems would be amended based on these studies to establish combination specific performance standards for typical Indian conditions. Maintenance strategy and optimization of design will help to foster the technology. The development strategy should give due consideration to the contributions of other countries so as to avoid repetition of work which will save time, money and efforts, and help for the real acceptance of RZTS in Indian conditions.

43 ref

002038   Singh R M (Civil Engineering Dep, Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology (MNNIT), Allahabad-211 004, Email: rajm@mnnit.ac.in) : Fuzzy rule based estimation of agricultural diffuse pollution concentration in streams. J envir Sci Engng 2008, 50(2), 147-52.

Outflow from the agricultural fields carries diffuse pollutants like nutrients, pesticides, herbicides etc. and transports the pollutants into the nearby streams. It is a matter of serious concern for water managers and environmental researchers. The application of chemicals in the agricultural fields, and transport of these chemicals into streams are uncertain that cause complexity in reliable stream quality predictions. The chemical characteristics of applied chemical, percentage of area under the chemical application etc. are some of the main inputs that cause pollution concentration as output in streams. Each of these inputs and outputs may contain measurement errors. Fuzzy rule based model based on fuzzy sets suits to address uncertainties in inputs by incorporating overlapping membership functions for each of inputs even for limited data availability situations. In this study, the property of fuzzy sets to address the uncertainty in input-output relationship is utilized to obtain the estimate of concentrations of a herbicide, atrazine, in a stream. The data of White river basin, a part of the Mississippi river system, is used for developing the fuzzy rule based models. The performance of the developed methodology is found encouraging.

5 illus, 3 tables, 29 ref

002037   Sharma B K;Sharma L L;Durve V S (Aquaculture Dep, College of Fisheries, Maharana Pratap Univ of Agriculture & Technology, Udaipur, Email: sharma11_limnofish@yahoo.co.in) : Assessment of hand pump waters in three tribal dominated district of southern Rajasthan, India. J envir Sci Engng 2008, 50(2), 133-6.

Udaipur, Banswara and Dungarpur districts of southern Rajasthan (India) have dominance of tribal population. In these districts besides other water resources, hand pumps are catering the need for drinking water. The study was undertaken to assess the level of chemical and bacteriological status for comparing the water quality with the prevailing standards. 18 hand pumps were studied for selected water quality parameters such as, pH, hardness, chloride, fluoride, NO₃ -N, EC, orthophosphate, TDS, TSS, BOD, total coliforms and faecal coliforms, following the standard methods. The data on chemical parameters revealed that in all 18 hand pumps the water quality was within the permissible level of WHO. However, in eight hand pumps the faecal coliforms were higher (2-6 MPN/100 mL) than the permissible limit which confirm organic contamination in these drinking water resources. On the basis of this study, suitable remedial measures for protection of water quality have been suggested.

3 illus, 22 ref

002036   Shankar B S;Balasubramanya N;Maruthesha Reddy M T (Civil Engineering Dep, EPCET, Bangalore) : Hydrochemical assessment of the pollutants in groundwaters of Vrishabhavathi valley basin in Bangalore (India). J envir Sci Engng 2008, 50(2), 97-102.

At the assessment of groundwater quality in and around the Vrishabhavathi Valley, the erstwhile fresh water stream, today carrying huge quantities of industrial, agricultural and domestic effluents from the western part of Bangalore metropolis. Groundwater samples were collected from both bore wells and open wells along the Vrishabhavathi watershed and subjected to a comprehensive physico- chemical and bacteriological analysis. The study revealed that 57% of the samples were non-potable due to their values when compared to the BIS standards. The concentrations of nitrate and total hardness were found higher than the standards in 43.33% and 40% of the samples respectively. 50% of the samples examined, indicated bacterial contamination in the groundwater.

5 illus, 3 tables, 10 ref

002035   Sen R;Chakrabarti S (Environmental Management Group, Geology Dep, Presidency College, Kolkata 700 073, Email: ranensen@gmail.com) : Environmental resources and their economic for use. Curr Sci 2007, 93(12), 1673-83.

Illustrates an approach to the understanding of the environmental resources and their related economics and policy planning for their development and exploitation without any disturbance to the existing balance in the ecosystem. An operational methodology to measure the tradeoff between economy and ecology is presented. The mathematics for developing the scenario is evolved to expound the system of analysis. It constitutes the primary goal. It is observed that all economic sectors have indirect environmental linkages and affect the environment of the region. The impact magnitude is, however, steered by the output. The article also elucidates how useful environmental multipliers are for an effective decision-making in resource exploitation.

4 tables, 5 ref

002034   Rajput N;Khemani L D;Lakhani A (Chemistry Dep, Dayalbag Educational Institute, Dayalbagh, Agra-5, Email: anitasaran2003@yahoo.co.in) : Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in ambient air at Agra : distribution and toxicity assessment. J envir Sci Engng 2008, 50(2), 111-14.

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a class of organic pollutants that are commonly found in the environment, largely due to combustion or processing of hydrocarbon fuels. PAHs are considered highly toxic for human beings and several of these compounds are carcinogenic, mutagenic and teratogenic. Human exposure to PAHs occurs principally by direct inhalation, ingestion or dermal contact as a result of the widespread presence and persistence of PAHs in the urban environment. With increasing awareness that PAHs are known and suspected carcinogens, this study was undertaken to monitor PAH compounds in Total Suspended Particulate Matter (TSPM) at the industrial site- Nunhai. Agra. For this purpose, TSPM samples were collected on glass fibre filter papers (EPM 2000) using High Volume Sampler (HVS 430) at Nunhai, Agra. 16 EPA priority PAH compounds were analyzed by a Gas Chromatograph equipped with FID detector. PAHs having high molecular weight, i.e. BghiP, BbF, DbA, BaA, BaP and IP, were the most abundant with concentrations ranging between 0.026 to 0.56 ng m^-3. The calculated mean TPAH value was 0.32 ng m^-3. The probably carcinogenic and possibly carcinogenic PAH as classified by International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) accounted for 42% and 38% respectively of the total PAH. The health risk associated with inhalatory exposure to PAHs was assessed on the basis of Benzo(a)pyrene concentration in air and Toxic Equivalency Factor (TEF) for individual PAH. In the present study, BaP concentrations ranged from 0.005 to 0.23 ng m^-3 with a mean value of 0.04 ng m^-3. Carcinogenic potencies for DbA and BaP in PAH mixtures based on TEF concept were 45% and 39% respectively. This underlines the importance of DbA and BaP as a surrogate compound of a PAH mixture in our environment in assessing human health risk.

2 illus, 2 tables, 15 ref

002033   Pazhanisamy K;Indra N (Zoology Dep, Government Arts College, Ariyalur-621 713) : Toxic effects of arsenic on lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity of Labeo rohita. J Ecotoxic envir Monit 2007, 17(5), 411-16.

Freshwater fish, Labeo rohita was treated with two sublethal concentrations of arsenic to reveal its toxicity on lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity. The fish when treated with lower and higher sublethal concentraions of arsenic (1/10^th - 0.27 ppm & 1/3^rd - 0.91 ppm of the 96 h LC₅₀) for a period of 28 days has resulted in 69.4% and 70.8% increase in LDH activity in the liver tissues. The treatment with same sublethal concentrations of arsenic for the same period has resulted in 34.8% and 47.8% increase in LDH activity in the muscle tissues. An increase in the LDH activity due to exposure to arsenic proves the dependence of the organisms on anaerobic metabolism in order to meet energy requirements for their survival.

1 table, 24 ref

002032   Parmar P;Gupta V K;Pillai A K (Chemistry Dep, Govt. V.Y.T. PG.Autonomous College, Durg-491 001, Email: drajaipillai@gmail.com) : Sensitive spectrophotometric method for determination of hydrogen sulphide in air and water samples. Chem envir Res 2007, 16(3-4), 265-72.

A rapid and sensitive spectrophotometric method for the determination of hydrogen sulphide is proposed. It is based on the oxidation of hydrogen sulphide with slight excess of N-bromosuccinamide (NBS) and the determination of unconsumed NBS using Rhodamine-B. The colour of Rhodamine-B is bleached by the unconsumed NBS and this decrease in intensity is measured at 550 nm. The decrease in intensity of the dye was found to be linear over the range 0.2 to 2.0 μg ml^-1 of hydrogen sulphide in non extractive system. The molar absorptivity and Sandell's sensitivity were found to be 1.272 x 10⁴ lit mol^-1 cm^-1 and 0.0024 μg cm^-2 - respectively. The dye is extractable in iso amyl alcohol therefore the method can be successfully applied for the determination of trace amount (0.02 μg ml^-1) of hydrogen sulphide in various environmental samples in extractive system. The method is reproducible, sensitive and can be satisfactorily applied for the determination of hydrogen sulphide in different air samples. The results were comparable with those obtained by the widely used methylene blue method.

2 illus, 3 tables, 20 ref

002031   Pandey A;Gundevia H S (Zoology Dep, Harishchandra P.G. College, Uttar Pradesh-221 001) : Role of the fungus-Periconiella sp. in destruction of biomedical waste. J envir Sci Engng 2008, 50(3), 239-40.

The disposal of biomedical waste is a burning problem in developing countries due to scarcity of resources and funds in view of its high cost involved. A very cheap, easily available and effective method by using fungus - Periconiella sp. isolated from cow dung was successfully tried, which degrades the biomedical waste materials very efficiently and quickly without leaving any trace of harmful effect on the population.

1 illus, 1 table, 6 ref

002030   Nair V P;Rajashekaran Nair J;Anna Mercy T V (Fishery Biology Dep, College of Fisheries, Panangad, Cochin-682 651) : Individual and combined acute lethal toxicity of selected biocides on the juveniles of rohu (Labeo rohita) under tropical conditions. Indian J Fish 2007, 54(3), 267-74.

In the natural ecosystems, fishes are exposed to more than one contaminant at a given time. The study is an attempt to understand the individual and combined acute lethal toxicity of the common biocides - malathion, methyl parathion, endosulfan and 2, 4-D on early juveniles of rohu under laboratory conditions. The 48 h LC50 values of the biocides were: malathion-7.89 mg.1^-1 (7.28-8.61); methyl parathion - 7.34 mg.1^-1 (7.25-7.43); endosulfan - 0.0036 mg.1^-1 (0.0025-0.0047) and 2, 4-D - 962.43 mg.1^-1 (954.02-970.81). The average "additive index" value and the average "magnification factor" for the different biocide pairs were: malathion -2, 4-D (0.218 and X 1.22); endosulfan -2, 4-D (-0.073 and X 0.93); malathion - methyl parathion (0.24 and X 1.24) and malathion-endosulfan (1.648 and X 2.65). It was found that 2, 4-D (chlorophenoxy herbicide) is "moderately toxic", malathion and methyl parathion (organophosphate insecticides) are "toxic" and endosulfan (organochlorine insecticide) is "very toxic" to rohu juveniles under static (with renewal) 48 h LC50 bioassay. The combined toxicity tests indicated the "strictly additive" nature of the insecticide-weedicide combinations and the "more than additive" nature of the insecticide-insecticide combinations. The simultaneous or even asynchronous application of these chemicals in the paddy fields and plantations thus greatly increase their potential to be toxic in freshwater and coastal ecosystems of the tropics.

1 illus, 3 tables, 33 ref

002029   Nadeem U;Tiwari D;Agarwal V;Tripathi V S (NO, Sai National Rural Development & Research Institute, Allahabad-211 002) : Enhanced desorption of arsenic contaminated silt soil with surfactant triton X-100. Chem envir Res 2007, 16(3-4), 293-7.

This study focuses on the sorption and desorption of arsenic onto the silt soil. Sorption experiments were carried out at varying concentrations of arsenic and pH. The soil samples selected for desorption study were artificially contaminated with 500 mg L^-1 arsenic solution at pH 4, 6 and 7. Non ionic surfactant, Triton X-100 (conc. 0.2%) was used to decontaminate the soil at different time intervals. It was found that maximum sorption of arsenic occurs atpH 7 within 9 days and maximum desorption of arsenic occurs at pH 4 within 6 days. The decontamination efficiency range of surfactant for soil contaminated with 500 mg L^-1 of arsenic was found to vary from 67.89% to 52.51% depending on pH.

4 illus, 1 table, 9 ref

002028   Muruganandam B;Saravanane R;Lavanya M; Sivacoumer R (Civil Engineering Dep, Pondicherry Engineering College, Pondicherry-605 014, Email: rsaravanane@pec.edu) : Effect of inoculum-substrate ratio on acclimatization of pharmaceutical effluent in an anaerobic batch reactor. J envir Sci Engng 2008, 50(3), 191-6.

Anaerobic treatment has gained tremendous success over the past two decades for treatment of industrial effluents. Over the past 30 years, the popularity of anaerobic wastewater treatment has increased as public utilities and industries have utilized its considerable benefits. Low biomass production, low nutrient requirements and the energy production in terms of methane yield are the significant advantages over aerobic treatment process. Due to the disadvantages reported in the earlier investigations, during the past decade, anaerobic biotechnology now seems to become a stable process technology in respect of generating a high quality effluent. The objective of the present experimental study was to compare the biodegradability of recalcitrant effluent (pharmaceutical effluent) for various inoculum-substrate ratios. The batch experiments were conducted over 6 months to get effect of ratio of inoculum-substrate on the acclimatization of pharmaceutical effluent. The tests were carried out in batch reactors, serum bottles, of volume 2000 mL and plastic canes of 10000 mL. Each inoculum was filled with a cow dung, sewage and phosphate buffer. The batch was made-up of diluted cow dung at various proportions of water and cow dung, i.e., 1:1 and 1:2 (one part of cow dung and one part of water by weight for 1:1). The bottles were incubated at ambient temperature (32°C-35°C). The bottles were closed tightly so that the anaerobic condition is maintained. The samples were collected and biodegradability was measured once in four days. The bottles were carefully stirred before gas measurement. The substrate was added to a mixture of inoculum and phosphate nutrients. The variations in pH, conductivity, alkalinity, COD, TS, TVS, VSS, and VFA were measured for batch process. The biogas productivity was calculated for various batches of inoculum-substrate addition and conclusions were drawn for expressing the biodegradability of pharmaceutical effluent on acclimatization period and influent COD concentration.

7 illus, 1 table, 27 ref

002027   Mittal S;Johri B N (Microbiology Dep, Delhi South Campus Univ, Benito Juarez Road, New Delhi-110 021, Email: bhavdishnjohri@rediffmail.com) : Assessment of rhizobacterial diversity of Triticum aestivum and Eleusine coracana from northern region of India. Curr Sci 2007, 93(11), 1530-7.

In addition to plant and soil type, cultivation practices greatly influence the rhizospheric microbial community. In this study, the influence of plant type was studied in mandua (Eleusine coracana), an organically grown crop for nearly a century in the Central Himalayan region and, wheat (Triticum aestivum), cultivated employing chemical nutrient inputs in the Indo-Gangetic region. Species variation was determined based on classical biochemical and physiological tests. Numerical analysis of these characteristics showed that 36% isolates from mandua were 100% similar whereas 18% strains from wheat showed 100% similarity. The extent of similarity between the isolates belonging to these two crops was limited to approximately 20%. Based on numerical analysis of pheno-typic characters, the Shannon diversity index (H') was 0.64. However, the value of H' based on phylogenetic analysis was 0.77. Functional characterization based on plant growth-promoting properties clearly showed greater diversity in wheat rhizosphere than in mandua. Molecular characterization by BOX-PCR and ARDRA substantiated the phenotypic data. Isolates from any one crop were placed distinctly in a separate cluster. Shannon diversity indices for wheat and mandua rhizospheric isolates based on genotypic fingerprinting were 0.6 and 0.2 respectively, which was in agreement with the phylogenetic analysis data. Sequencing data showed predominance of genera, Bacillus and Pseudomonas.

8 illus, 3 tables, 38 ref

002026   Mazumder B;Devi S R (Regional Research Laboratory, , Bhubaneswar-751 013) : Adsorption of oils, heavy metals and dyes by recovered carbon powder from spent pot liner of aluminum smelter plant. J envir Sci Engng 2008, 50(3), 203-6.

Aluminum smelter plants employ Hall-Heroult electrolysis cells for electrolysis of molten cryolite to recover aluminum metal by electrolysis. These cells use carbon cathode blocks as a lining material inside. At the end of service life of the cells, pot lines are discarded and new carbon blocks are laid for fresh charging. These used carbon cathode blocks, known as spent pot liners, are heavily infested with toxic elements such as fluoride, cyanide, alkali, etc. Therefore, their disposal in open field poses great environmental risk. A simple process has been developed for decontamination of these spent pot liners and to recover its carbon value. The experiments indicated that this carbon, in the form of fine powder (around 20 micron in size) can absorb toxic elements like heavy metals, dyes, oils, etc. to a great extent and thus can be used for mitigating environmental pollution occuring due to various toxic wastes.

3 illus, 5 tables, 11 ref

002025   Mahadev J;Syed A A;Hosmani S P (Studies in Environmental Science Dep, Mysore Univ, Manasagangothri, Mysore-570 006) : Determination of water quality index (WQI) of two water bodies of Mysore. Chem envir Res 2007, 16(3-4), 235-41.

Linnological investigation was carried out on Karanji and Dalvoi lakes, Mysore during May 2006 - May 2007, to determine water quality index (WQI). The WQI was calculated by taking ten physico-chemical parameters such as pH, dissolved oxygen, total dissolved solids, total suspended solids, calcium, magnesium, total hardness, chloride, chemical oxygen demand and nitrate in different seasons of the year. The values are above the upper limits in terms of WQI, which indicated that the water was not safe for human use.

3 tables, 12 ref

002024   Krishnamoorthy R;Syed Mohamed H E;Shahul Hameed P (Biotechnology Dep, Pavendar Bharathidasan College, Trichy-24, Tamil Nadu, Email: drrk_bt@rediffmail.com) : Temperature effect on behaviour, oxygen consumption, ammonia excretion and tolerance limit of the fish fingerlings of Alepes djidaba. J envir Sci Engng 2008, 50(3), 169-74.

The study has been carried out to determine the effect of temperature on behaviour, oxygen consumption, ammonia excretion and tolerance limit of the fish fingerlings of Alepes djidaba, which were collected at Kalpakkam. The fish fingerlings were placed at different temperatures, based on the thermal tolerance limit of fish and thermal outfall of the Madras Atomic Power Station (MAPS). The thermal tolerance experiments were conducted in two ways : in direct exposure and in gradually increasing temperature for duration of 48 hr. The upper and lower lethal temperatures for the fish fingerlings of Alepes djidaba were 38.5°C and 14°C respectively. During tolerance experiment, no mortality was observed at 33°C and 35°C. But at 38°C with gradual increase in temperature, 100% loss of equilibrium was observed at 37.7°C in 36 min and mortality was observed at 38°C in 55 min. On the contrary, when the fish fingerlings A. djidaba were directly exposed to 38°C, almost 100% loss of equilibrium and mortality were recorded in 15 min and 31 min respectively. At 40°C with gradual increase in temperature, 100% loss of equilibrium was recorded at 38.5°C in 46 min and mortality was recorded at 39°C in 50 min. On the other hand, when the fish fingerlings of Alepes djidaba were directly exposed to 40°C, 100% mortality occurred immediately within one minute. These behavioral responses include an elevated temperature of ΔT 10°C, surfacing, dashing against glass wall, jumping out of the water, etc. In general, the rate of oxygen consumption and ammonia excretion was found to enhance with increasing temperature. The oxygen consumption was found to increase from 0.97 mg O₂/g/hr at 30°C to 2.2 MgO₂/g/hr at 35°C. Similarly, the excretion of ammonia also increased from 3.18 (μg/g/hr at 30°C to 5.91 (μg/g/hr at 35°C. In the present study, it was found that gradual increase in temperature favours the fish population to escape from the thermal exposure as compared to direct exposure, and also the temperature impact due to thermal discharge from MAPS is only minimal (35°C) and no mortality could be caused to the fish population.

6 illus, 19 ref

002023   Khan I A;Chaturvedi O P (National Research Centre for Agroforestry, , Jhansi, Email: opchaturvedi(@mailcan.com ) : Agroforestry and carbon sequestration: a global scenario. J trop For 2007, 23(3-4), 1-15.

Rapid urbanization, industrial growth, change in land use patterns and increasing anthropogenic pressure has increased the carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere. The increasing concentration of CO₂ in the atmosphere has caused global warming. In the past years, the amount of anthropogenic carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere is primarily because of expanding use of fossil fuels for energy. It has risen from pre industrial levels of 280 ppm to the present levels of over 380 ppm. Prediction of global energy use in the next century suggests a continued increase in carbon emissions and rising of CO₂ in the atmosphere, unless major changes are not made in the way we produce and use energy in particular and how we mange carbon. The newest way to mange carbon is through carbon sequestration. Trees and other plant species in agroforestry system store carbon in its biomass and soil, and thus it has great potential in carbon sequestration and thereby mitigation of carbon. Intensified agriculture practices reported to lead a reduction in ecosystem carbon stocks mainly due to removal of above ground biomass as harvest and loss of carbon as CO₂ through burning and/or decomposition. Evidence is emerging that agroforestry systems are promising management practices to increase above ground and soil C stocks and reduce soil degradation, as well as to mitigate green house gas emissions in the humid tropics. The potential of agroforestry (tree-based) systems to sequester C in vegetation is reported to be over 70 mg C/ha and up to 25 mg/ha in the top 20 cm of soil. In degraded soils of the sub-humid tropics improved fallow agroforestry practices have been found to increase top soil C stocks up to 1.6 mg/ha. In sub Saharan Africa agroforestry is reported to have attainable rates of C sequestration in the range of 0.1 to 5.3 mg C/ha/r. Agroforestry also have an indirect benefit on carbon sequestration because it decreases the pressure on natural forest, which are the largest sinks of terrestrial carbon by meeting wood based needs from outside the forest and thus reducing destruction of forests. Another indirect avenue of carbon sequestration is through soil conservation using agroforestry technologies, which could improve floral bio diversity and thus storage of C. in plants and soil. Carbon compounds are sequestered or accumulated by plants to build their structure and maintain their physiological process. The analysis of carbon stocks from various part of the world showed that significant quantities could be removed from the atmosphere over the next 50 years if agroforestry systems are implemented on a. global scale. Agrihortisilviculture, agrisilviculture and silvipastoral agroforestry systems have been observed as the potential sinks for sequestering surplus carbon from the atmosphere in near future. Thus, the importance of agroforestry as a land use system is receiving wider recognition not only in terms of sustainability but also in issue related to climate change.

2 illus, 4 tables, 48 ref

002022   Jeyapriya S P;Saseetharan M K (Lecturer in Civil Engineering, Govt. College of Technology, Coimbatore-13) : Energy recovery from municipal solid waste in an anaerobic reactor. J envir Sci Engng 2008, 50(3), 235-8.

Anaerobic digestion of municipal solid waste was carried out in the laboratory at room temperature to assess the bio-energy production from municipal solid waste (MSW) with high total solids content. The total biogas production from the municipal garbage was found to be 3.2 L in 120 days. The results from the biomethanation process showed that an increase in gas production was observed with increase in digestion period when the bioconversion parameters were found to be favorable for the production of gas. Changes in the parameters, such as pH, affected the production of gas significantly. Samples taken from the reactor at definite interval of time during the degradation process showed considerable reduction in total volatile solids, total carbon, total nitrogen and COD, etc. indicating the waste stabilization.

9 illus, 2 tables, 7 ref

002021   Hanief S M;Thakur S D;Gupta B (NO, Dr. Y.S. Parmar Univ of Horticulture & Forestry, Nauni, Solan, Himachan Pradesh-173 230) : Vegetal profile of natural plant succession and artificially re-vegetated limestone mines of Himachal Pradesh, India. J trop For 2007, 23(1-2), 128-35.

Sudies carried out in Sal forest of Sirmaur district in Himachal Pradesh revealed that the artificially reclaimed sites develop much faster in terms of soil and vegetation as compared to abandoned mines. The community developed on artificially reclaimed site was altogether different from the naturally occurring one but the naturally reclaimed site was approaching slowly towards the climax species

5 tables, 13 ref

002020   Gorai A K;Mukhopadhyay A K;Pal A K;Dey U K (Mining Engg. Dep, B.I.T, Sindri, Dhanbad, Jharkhand-828 123, Email: amit_gorai@yahoo.co.uk) : Design of enclosure of a grinding machine for the noise attenuation. J envir Sci Engng 2008, 50(2), 141-6.

Since most of the equipments are usually installed in rooms or enclosed plants, the effect of an enclosure is important. Absorptive surface of the enclosure can reduce levels to the extent of 5 dB(A) which is quite significant. Effectiveness of enclosures in sound varies with the frequency of sound and the shape, size, laying pattern of sound absorbing material, which is put on the walls of the enclosure. The sound absorbing material accomplishes little shielding if there is no acoustical absorption within it. Acoustical absorbents when applied to the interior surface of the enclosure adsorb some of the energy and the noise level within the enclosure builds up only by the energy not absorbed. This paper elucidates the procedure of developing an enclosure to study its performance in attenuating sound at varying conditions. The results found encouraging and such enclosures can be developed for plant machineries by the plant personnels without getting confused by the claims and rhetoric of advertisements of big companies engaged in developing such items.

3 illus, 4 tables, 4 ref

002019   Goel S (Civil Engineering Dep, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, West Bengal-721 302, Email: sudhagoel@civil.iitkgp.ernet.in) : Impact of chlorination on the incidence of cancers and miscarriages in two different campus communities in India. J envir Sci Engng 2008, 50(3), 175-8.

Long-term impacts of drinking chlorinated water on the incidence of cancers and miscarriages were assessed in a population-based cross-sectional study conducted in the two campus communities of IIT Kanpur (IITK) and IIT Kharagpur (IITKgp). IITK has been using untreated groundwater since the community was established in 1963, while IITKgp has been using chlorinated water for more than 30 years. A house-to-house survey was carried out to gather information on residential history, i.e age, education, income, source and extent of treatment of water and health characteristics. Only adults above 20 years of age were included for data analyses. Odds ratios were calculated based on the hypothesis that exposure to chlorinated drinking water may result in a higher incidence of cancers and miscarriages as found in many studies. The odds ratios (OR) in this study were found to be 0.56 (95% CI = 0.16 to 1.62) for cancers and 0.33 (95% CI = 0.19 - 0.56) for miscarriages. These OR values are not statistically significant indicating the lack of association between cancers or miscarriages and exposure to chlorinated drinking water, and are in agreement with some published epidemiological studies as well. Reciprocal OR values were calculated based on an alternative hypothesis that chlorination actually decreases the risk of cancers and miscarriages. Based on this, the OR values for cancers are 1.77 (95% CI = 0.55 to 5.66) and for miscarriages are 3.07 (95% CI = 1.78 to 5.29). These results show that there is no association between exposure to chlorinated drinking water and cancers while there is significant decrease in the incidence of miscarriages for those exposed to chlorinated drinking water.

2 tables, 13 ref

002018   Devarajan S;Hameed Sulaiman S M (Environmental Sciences Dep, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore-641 003) : Potential of native white rot fungi isolated from contaminated soil for decolourising textile dye effluents. J Ecotoxic envir Monit 2007, 17(5), 497-9.

Trametes sp and Phanerochaete sp were isolated from textile dye contaminated soil and the standard culture of Trametes versicolor-138 MTCC brought from microbial technology decolourise the textile dye effluent. With 0.1 per cent glucose as carbon source and 0.1 per cent ammonium chloride as nitrogen source, the fungus Trametes sp removed the colour upto 76 per cent and the fungus Phanerochaete sp removed the colour upto 82 per cent and the standard culture Trametes versicolor-138 MTCC removed the colour upto 87.2 per cent, respectively in the textile dye effluent after seven days.

1 table, 11 ref

002017   Dash J R;Patra H K;Mohanty S K;Dash P C (State Pollution Control Board, , Bhubaneswar-751 012) : Water quality index for ground water of rural areas around Angul-Talcher industrial zone, Orissa. J Ecotoxic envir Monit 2007, 17(5), 401-10.

Water quality index (WQI) for the drinking waters of rural areas around Angul-Talcher Industrial zone, Orissa has been investigated from July 2001 to June 2003. The quality ratings of 20 physico-chemical and bacteriological parameters of water samples from 7 tube well and 7 dug wells in the region were estimated. The WQI values for all the analyed samples were less than 80 throughout the period of investigation except for 3 dug wells with 80 < WQI = 100 in the rainy season and also after heavy down-pour in summer. The results indicate that the analyzed water bodies are by and large moderately polluted and can be used only after proper treatment and disinfections.

7 tables, 14 ref

002016   Das Y;Padmanabhamurthy B (Science and Engineering Research Council - DST, Centre for Atmospheric Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi-110 016, Email: yashvantdas@hotmail.com) : Energy balance of a subrban vegetated area in a tropical city - Delhi (India). J envir Sci Engng 2008, 50(2), 103-10.

Energy balance measurements were carried out in a suburban vegetated area of southern part of Delhi. These measurements were made on several days during winter (January, February, November, December) and summer (April, May, June) of 1998 and 1999, respectively. During the winter 1998, net radiation (Q*) reached up to 108 W/m² around noon and during the summer 1999, Q* was as high as 423.43 W/m². The apportionments of Q* into sensible heat (H) and latent heat (LE) fluxes were 63% and 16% respectively during the summer 1998, whereas, during the winter Q* dissipated by 40% and 60%, respectively by H and LE. Similarly, during the summer 1999, partitioning of Q* into H and LE were 52 and 24%, respectively and during the winter, apportionments of H and LE found to be 37% and 39% respectively. On an average, about 34% of Q* was dissipated as soil heat flux (G) during both the summers (1998 and 1999) and the winter 1999, whereas, during the winter 1998, G was about 14% of Q*. Diurnal variations of H and LE showed erratic nature whereas that of G was relatively smoother during both the summers and winters. The calculated Bowen ratio was 0.67 to 0.91 during winters and 2.16 to 3.84 during summers, respectively. Probably, seasonal differences are due to local/synoptic conditions, nature of sub stratum and existence of vegetation, which influence the energy partitioning. However, as there was no surplus of energy, the area acts as a heat sink.

5 illus, 1 table, 47 ref

002015   Channakeshava S;Goroji P T;Naik A; Sarangamath P A (Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry Dep, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad-580 005) : Direct and residual effect of sludge and other phosphorus sources on fluorine content in paddy and cowpea under sequence. J Ecotoxic envir Monit 2007, 17(5), 479-86.

Investigation on direct and residual effect of sludge and other Phosphorus sources on fluorine content in paddy and cowpea under sequence conducted at Agricultural Research Station (Paddy), Sirsi, Dharwad. Fluorine content of paddy grain was increased wherever higher levels of sludge applied. Higher fluorine content was recorded with 100 percent sludge P (7.01 & 6.84 ppm) during 1999 and 2000 and was on par with 75 percent sludge + 25 percent SSP with (6.41 & 6.38 ppm) and without P-solubilizer (6.33 & 6.30 ppm) and 100 percent sludge with RDFYM (6.40 & 6.42 ppm). The fluorine content of grain was significantly reduced with 50 percent sludge + 50 percent SSP + P-S (3.81 & 3.77 ppm) during 1999 and 2000, respectively. Applicaton of 25 percent sludge + 75 percent SSP with (3.60 & 3.70 ppm) and without P-solubilizer (3.625 & 3.63 ppm) was on par with 100 percent RP (3.73 & 3.80 ppm) and 100 percent SSP with (3.51 & 3.57 ppm) and without (3.61 & 3.69 ppm) P- solubilizer during 1999 and 2000, respecively. Similar effect was also noticed with respect to fluorine content in straw of paddy. However, fluorine content in straw was marginally higher than grain. However, significantly higher fluorine content was recorded with 100 percent sluge (3.42 ppm) over other treatments and was on par with 75 percent sludge + 25 percent SSP with (3.4 ppm) and without P-S (3.35 ppm), 100 percent sludge + P-S (3.4 ppm) and 100 percent sludge with different levels of RDFYM (3.42, 3,38 & 3.30 ppm).pectively. Fluorine content in grain was significantly low with application of 100 percent SSP (2.25 ppm) and 100 percent RP (2.43 ppm) and were on par with 25 percent sludge + 75 percent SSO (2.40 ppm). Application of sludge and other P sources with P -solubilizer decreased fluorine content marginally. Similarly effect was also noticed on fluorine content in haulm of cowpea. However, fluorine content in grain was less compared to grain.

3 tables, 9 ref

002014   Chandra Sekhar M (Civil Engineering Dep, National Institute of Technology, Warangal-506 004) : Removal of lead from aqueous effluents by adsorption on coconut shell carbon. J envir Sci Engng 2008, 50(2), 137-40.

The application of adsorption for removal of heavy metals is quite popular and activated carbon is universally used as an adsorbent. However, high cost of its preparation and regeneration has led to a search for alternative sorbents, especially in the developing countries. A number of sorbents are used to remove metals by adsorption from industrial effluents, which include insoluble starch, xanthates, modified cotton and wool, tree barks, activated carbon, plant leaves and agricultural products. Therefore, as an alternative, coconut shell carbon (CSC), a low cost sorbent derived from organic waste material, was used in the present work, for removal of lead from aqueous effluents. The results of the batch sorption studies indicated that the efficiency of lead removal by coconut shell carbon is comparable to that of commercially available activated carbon. From the kinetic and equilibrium studies, the sorptive capacity of coconut shell carbon for lead was found to be 30 mg/g. Desorption and subsequent recovery of the metal from the surface of the sorbent was successfully demonstrated. Parameters affecting the sorption were evaluated.

7 illus, 5 ref

002013   Binu K S;Prakasam V R (Environmental Sciences Dep, Univ of Kerala, Kariavattom, Thiruvananthapuram-695 581) : Water quality of Vamanpuram river passing through Chirayinkeezhu gramapanchayat, Kerala. Geobios 2008, 35(2-3), 153-6.

Water quality of samples collected from Vamanapuram river passing through Chirayinkeezhu panchayat (Kerala) is within the limits for drinking water except in rainy season, when turbidity and iron were high. The river water is safe for domestic needs after proper treatment.

1 tables, 11 ref

002012   Bhargava D S;Tyagi B;Gakkhar S (NO, Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, Bhargava Lane, Devpura, Haridwar-249 401) : Polynomialized model for critical DO deficit. J envir Sci Engng 2008, 50(3), 223-6.

The existing DO sag models of Streater-Phelps have become obsolete in the present day context of polluted streams in which a part of the BOD removal necessarily takes place through sedimentation. The Streater Phelps models do not consider this aspect. Bhargava's theoretically derived model for the critical DO deficit rests on an almost linear removal of the settleable BOD and an exponential decay of non-settleable BOD. However, the Bhargava's model has two independent but complex expressions, one each for times less than and greater than the transition time. A polynormialized form of Bhargava's models for critical DO deficit has been developed as a single expression and universally applicable without any regard to the transition time. Unlike, the Streeter-Phelps or Bhargava models, the presented polynomial form of Bhargava models, for critical DO deficit has an additional advantage of evaluating the critical dissolved oxygen deficit concentrations directly and without first determining the time of occurrence of such a deficit. The material presented would thus add to the exiting literature on the subject.

1 table, 6 ref

002011   Bhapsargaonkar A A;Gupta A;Devotta S (Environmental Systems Design and Modelling Div, National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, Nehru Marg, Nagpur-440 020, Email: ap_sargaonkar@neeri.res.in) : Multivariate analysis of groundwater resources in Ganga-Yamuna basin (India). J envir Sci Engng 2008, 50(3), 215-22.

Groundwater quality data on physico-chemical, bacteriological and heavy metal concentrations in three cities (Faridabad, Allahabad and Varanasi) in Ganga-Yamuna basin was subjected to multivariate analysis (MVA) using SPSS. The factors extracted showed high loading (>0.3) of various parameters, such as Cl, conductivity, TDS, hardness, Na, Mg, and SO₄, indicating contamination due to leaching of pollutants. Major manifest variable associated with these factors is the unorganized solid waste dumping practiced in all the cities. Bacterial contamination of hand pump samples in Allahabad is attributed to surface water-groundwater interaction. The factor with high loading of Ca and F is indicative of geological conditions of the region. Wells in Yamuna river sub-watershed exhibit less freshwater recharge, which is attributed to surface water pollution and sediment deposition in the river. Thus, the methodology for hydrogeological analysis is useful to identify critical water quality issues and possible sources of pollution in river basins.

6 illus, 3 tables, 22 ref

001023   Srivastava S K;Singh D;Prakesh S;Ansari K K (Zoology Dep, M L K P G College, Balrampur, Uttar Pradesh) : Physico-chemical parameters of distillery effluent and their correlation. Indian J appl pure Biol 2007, 22(2), 231-4.

The study deals the physico-chemical properties of distillery effluent. The statistical analysis of Correlation Coefficient (r) were carried out for 43 pairs parameters. Besides the above analysis standard deviation, relative standard deviation and coefficient of variation (cv) in all the parameters have also been evaluated.

3 tables, 3 ref,

001022   Singh S;Jain B;Sengar R;Pathak V;Pathak P (NO, Narain (P G) College, Shikohabad-205 135) : Studies on bioaccumulation of mercury by aquatic plants spectroscopically. Indian J appl pure Biol 2007, 22(2), 279-82.

Industrial effluents release toxic metals and our surrounding environment gets polluted. Metals once released cannot be destroyed; they can be transformed from one form to another. Human beings consume metals in different forms by the intake of contaminated food and drinking water. The presence of these toxic metals in organisms can cause many diseases even if they are present in very low concentrations. Deals with the accumulation of mercury by aquatic plants. The plants Hydrilla verticillata and Azolla pinnata were found to be very sensitive towards mercury.

4 tables, 7 ref

001021   Singh C;Yadav H L;Srivastava D K (P G Dep of Botany, A B R P G College, Anpara, Sonebhadra-321 225) : Effect of chromiun plating industry effluent on seed germination of some leguminous crop plants. Indian J appl pure Biol 2007, 22(2), 249-52.

Effect ofdifferent sites of chromium plating industry effluents on germination of seeds of Cajanus cajan cv. Bahar. Pisum sativum cv. Azaad; Cicer arietinum cv. G-130 and Cicer arietinum cv. H-208 was studied. The maximum inhibition in seed germination was reported in site-1 treated seeds, whereas it was minimum in site-3 treated seeds. Among two cultivars of Cicer arietinum cv. H208 is more susceptible to chromium plating effluent toxicity than cv. G-130. In this way differential responses are shown by above stated genotypes of Cicer arietinum to chromium plating effluent toxicity.

2 tables, 7 ref

001020   Siddiqi W A;Hasan J;Mahmood G (Applied Sciences and Humanities Dep, Faculty of Engineering and Techno, jamia Milia Islamic (Central Univ), New Delhi-110 025) : Comparative study of the rainwater harvesting impact on ground water quality of west Dwarka Subcity of Delhi with installed rainwater harvesting systems and non installed systems. Oriental J Chem 2007, 23(1), 221-6.

In the study water samples, from various societies of west Zone of Dwarka subcity of New Delhi have been collected where rainwater-harvesting systems are installed and where rainwater harvesting systems are not installed. The impact of rainwater harvesting on the amounts of heavy metals in ground water has been studied by collecting water samples from these selected sites in the months before and after the rain. In the study, the water samples collected from the rainwater harvesting societies and non-rainwater harvesting societies were analyzed pre and post monsoon. And, it was revealed that the rainwater harvesting suitably reduced the amounts of heavy metals and improved the quality of ground water of the societies where rainwater-harvesting systems are installed as compared to the societies where rainwater-harvesting systems are not installed.

8 illus, 10 ref

001019   Saini P;Ajay Kumar;Shrivastava J N (Microbiology Laboratory, Botany Dep, DEI (Deemed Univ), Dayalbagh, Agra-282 005) : Effect of bacterial consortium treated domestic waste water on seedling growth of Zea mays L.. Adv Pl Sci 2008, 21(2), 399-402.

Effect of untreated and bacterial treated domestic waste water on seedling growth of Zea mays was observed. It has been found that among different concentrations the lower concentration (25%) of untreated domestic waste water was found suitable, whereas the higher concentration (100%) of bacterial consortium treated domestic waste water showed the stimulatory effect on seed germination and seedling growth (Root length, shoot length, root biomass, and shoot biomass) of Zea mays L. var. NEM-33.

1 illus, 2 tables, 17 ref

001018   Pal S K;Sonali D E (Plant Physiology Dep, Institute of Agricultural Science, Calcutta Univ, 35 Ballygunge Circular Road, Kolkata-700 019) : Water quality of ponds located in a predominantly agricultural area in the district of north 24-parganas within the state of west Bengal. Indian Biol 2007, 39(1), 81-84.

An investigation was carried out in a small agricultural village in the District of North 24 Parganas. Water samples collected from two ponds extensively used both for agricultural and domestic purposes, were studied for their physico-chemical properties and content of various agrochemicals including pesticides. The results revealed that the water was alkaline in reaction (pH 8.0-8.5) with high content of salts. The chloride content varied from 3.55 to 5.58 mg/l & 8.12 to 10.66 mg/l (in two seperate ponds under study) respectively. The concentration of Na⁺, K⁺, NO⁺₂ and PO^-₄ varied from 7.0 to 57.5, 3.1 to 11.0, 0.0002 to 0.0035 and 0.12 to 0.31 ml/l respectively.

5 tables, 4 ref

001017   Khan S (NO, Institute of Science, 15 Madame Cama Road, Mumbai-400 032) : Impact of urban pollution on biological parameters of river Mithi. Adv Pl Sci 2008, 21(2), 581-4.

Mithi river is a consequence of tail water discharge of Powai and Vihar lakes in Mumbai. After flowing through various residential and industrial complexes it meets the Arabian Sea at the Mahim creek. The citizens and the industries are using the river as an open drain and this is posing threat to the vegetation, animal and human life. The present study was undertaken to study the impact of pollution load of Mithi river (Mumbai) on certain biological parameters like SPC (Standard Plate Count) of bacteria, MPN (Maximum Probable Number) of total and faecal coliforms, phytoplanktons and aquatic macrophytes, at the three sampling sites between August 2004- December 2004 (Monsoon and post monsoon). Total bacterial density, total and faecal coliforms were maximum at Site III followed by Site II and Site I. Pollution tolerant species of algae like Scenedesmus, Closterium, Ulothrix, Oscillatoria, Lyngbya, and Phormidium were reported from all the three sites. Similarly diatoms like Navicula and Nit&chia were common to all the three sites throughout the course of study. Aquatic macrophytes like Lemna, Hydrilla and Eichhornia which are considered to be the indicators of pollution were also recorded from sites studied.

3 tables, 18 ref

001016   Kar S;Santra S C (Environmental Science Dep, Kalyani Univ, Nadia-741 235) : Evaluation of toxicity of wastewater grown duckweed (Lemna purpusilla L.) feedstock by fish bioassay method. Indian Biol 2007, 39(1), 77-80.

Evaluation of toxicity of wastewater grown duckweed feed by fish bioassay method revealed that the biomass yield and nutrient value of feed were increases but there was a marked toxicity in the feed as revealed from fish bioassay test (r² of White Blood Corpuscle = 0.97240, r² of Red Blood Corpuscle = 0.95788 and r² of Acetylchloline esterase = 0.98367). However these problems can be mitigated through wastewater dilution and rapid feed biomass harvesting.

3 tables, 16 ref

001015   El-Gendy N S;Moustafa Y M (NO, Egyptian Petroleum Research Institute, Nasr City, Cairo (Egypt)) : Enviromental assessment of petroleum hydrocarbons contaminating Temsah lake, Suez canal, Egypt. Oriental J Chem 2007, 23(1), 11-26.

Eleven surface water, eight surface sediment and four fish samples were collected from different sites all over Temsah Lake (Ismailia, Egypt). The contaminating hydrocarbons were extracted from each sample to be analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively using standard methods. Results obtained indicate that generally all sites are contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons which were affected by weathering to different degrees as detected by gas chromatographic (GC) analysis indicating that the area is subjected to several successive spills. The amounts of pollutants are some what alarmingly high; the total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) content in water samples reaching 103 mg/l, in sediment samples reaching 635 mg/kg and in fish samples reaching 139 mg/kg. The main components of such pollutants are polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) compounds as detected by GC and UV/Vis/NIR spectrophotometric techniques. The presence of such compounds is very harmful to marine life and is of great danger to human health. More efforts and rules are needed in order to govern, prevent or even minimize the sources of petroleum hydrocarbons.

7 illus, 4 tables, 42 ref

001014   Diwan D;Parashar A (Research Scholar, Sarojini Naidu Govt Girls PG College, Bhopal-462 016) : Aquaculture-an Eco-friendly approach towards waste land management of Tawa command. Indian J appl pure Biol 2007, 22(2), 357-64.

Tawa, a major irrigation project located in Hoshangabad district of Madhya Pradesh is meant for the Narmada Basin Development, across Tawa river. Water logging resulting through this project has been identified as a menace. Increasing water logging is being identified as a major consequence of mega irrigation project, that renders the soil unsuitable for agriculture purposes. Physico-chemical characteristics of water logged soils of six villages namely Powerkhera, Chandrapura, Nitaya Byora, Ankhmau and Nimsaria of Tawa command, were studied to evaluate the feasibility and potentials of water logged waste land for aquaculture practices. The soil samples from waste land of six villages and fish farms (that already constructed in the command area), were procured and analyzed for pH, Electrical Conductivity. Salinity, NPK levels and soil texture. Since the knowledge of these parameters is essential for the evolution of a site for aqua-farming and to formulate strategy for the reclamation of water logged land. The paper also indicates the enrichment of soils through clever aquaculture practices in eco-friendly manner.

5 illus, 2 tables, 17 ref

001013   Biswas K P (NO, , 48, Boral Main Road, Garia, Kolkata-700 084) : Poison fishing in ponds and tanks, its persistent toxicity on ecosystem and probable health hazards. Indian Biol 2007, 39(1), 61-66.

The use of chemical pesticides to immobilize and catch fishes from ponds and tanks have become widespread in urban areas, especially around Kolkata. The affected fishes are sold in the Market and people purchase them for cheapness. An attempt has been made to know the persistent toxicity of one such widely used fish poison (Thiodan 35 EC) in laboratory and field on tilapia (Oreochromis mossarnbicus), the hardiest of fishes. The pesticide residue in affected fish flesh, its degradation and denaturing on cooking are required to be investigated in details.

1 table, 7 ref

001012   Ahmadu B O;Kolawole E G;Bello K A (Textile Science & Technology Dep, Ahmodu Blello Univ, Zaria, Email: gbadekolawole@yahoo.com) : Environmental degradation of secondary cellulose acetate in the presence of metal complex dyes. J Text Ass 2008, 69(3), 94-101.

Stabilizing or pro-degradative effect of two metal complex dyes on the natural weathering of secondary cellulose acetate has been studied. Decreases in intrinsic viscosity and loss of tensile strength and elongation were observed in the secondary cellulose acetate samples on environmental exposure. Hydroperoxides were identified as the major initiating species of the degradation process. The results obtained also showgd that the dyes had a pro-degradative effect, accelerating the degradation rate of secondary acetate.

7 illus, 2 tables, 8 ref

001011   Afroz S;Srivastava A K (NO, , D/o Dr Shakeel Ahmad, Opposite Shiva Engineering Works, Lucknow Road, Baheri, Ballia-277 001) : Bioegrading character of Bacillus sphaericus in silk industry effluent fed reservoir, Khajua Lake at Mubarakpur, Azamgarh (U.P.). Indian J appl pure Biol 2007, 22(2), 205-12.

The study was carried out to observe the biodegrading character of Bacillus sphaericus on some hydrological parameters such. as pH, alkalinity, DO, BOD, COD and hardness. Silk dyeing processes release dyes and other chemicals in nature. Biodegradation of such effluent was conducted with respect to the above parameters. Three concentrations of the effluent were made viz. 50%, 75% and 100% for the estimation of these parameters at three different time intervals -24 hours, 96 hours and 120 hours. The results so obtained clearly indicate that the standard values recommended by WHO for these parameters were attained after certain time interval by the treatment with Bacillus sphaericus. At higher concentration of dyeing effluent, the values of all the parameters were rnuch higher than the recommended values. Within 120 hours, maximum biodegradation with respect to all the parameters was observed at 50% 100% concentration of the effluent.

6 tables, 25 ref,