Title : Application of numerical modelling for morphological changes in a high-energy beach during the south-west monsoon
Subject : Current Science
Volume No. : 98
Issue No. : 5
Author : Shamji, V R, Hameed T S S, Kurian N P, Thomas K V;
Printed Year : 2010
No of Pages : 691-95
Description :
Abstract: Study of beach morphological changes during monsoon and development of capabilities towards its prediction is of vital importance in coastal zone management. A study of the beach erosion/accretion processes during south-west monsoon and its numerical modelling is attempted in this communication for a micro-tidal and high-energy beach. Comprehensive hydrodynamic and beach profile data measured in the field were used for the study. The beach morphological changes as a result of the high intensity monsoon waves are found to be characterized by erosion of beach coupled with deposition in the offshore leading to formation and migration offshore longshore bar. The model LITPROF of the LITPACK software of DHI is found to simulate well the beach morphological changes by adjustment of the calibration parameters. Journal: Current Science (2010) Vol. 98 No. 5 pp 691-95
Title : Abnormal Modulation of Atmospheric Parameters during the Tsunami of 2004 Environmental Projects
Subject : Current Science
Volume No. :
Issue No. :
Author : R. Vishnu, Hamza Varikoden, V. Anil Kumar, S. Murali Das, G. Mohan Kumar, V.N. Subi Symon; Centre for Earth Science Studies,Thiruvananthapuram
Printed Year : 2012
No of Pages : 102(11)
Description :
Abstract: This paper discusses the abnormal changes in weather elements observed at a tropical mountain location and a coastal station in India. Abnormal changes were noticed in the atmospheric parameters at a time close to the occurrence of tsunami on the Indian coasts due to high magnitude earthquakes in the Sumatra region on 26 December 2004. Close to the time of this earthquake occurrence, uncharacteristic and large magnitude changes in weather elements were recorded at Braemore (8°45′N, 77°05′E, 360 m amsl), a mountain field station at Western Ghats. Abnormal changes were also recorded at Minambakkam (13°N, 80°18′E, 16 m SLP), close to eastern coastal belts. In the Braemore field station, simultaneous changes were observed in the atmospheric parameters; decrease in pressure by 0.6 hPa, increase in relative humidity by 30% and a prominent reduction in air temperature by more than 3°C on the day of tsunami. Also, unusually the relative humidity did not reach 100% on the previous night. However, in the Minambakkam station, the relative humidity increased by 10% associated with a sharp decrease in temperature by about 2.5°C. The changes in both the stations occurred almost at the same time and duration. Therefore, it may be concluded that these changes are associated with the high magnitude earthquake and subsequent tsunami.
Title : Biodegradation of water hyacinth, sugarcane bagasse and rice husk through vermicomposting
Subject : Environmental Science
Volume No. : 2
Issue No. : 6
Author : Vivek K. Saini, R.C. Sihag, R.C. Sharma, S.K. Gahlawat, R.K. Gupta
Printed Year : 2008
No of Pages : 8
Description :
Water hyacinth, sugarcane bagasse and rice husk are major bio-organic wastes causing severe environmental problems. For their biodegradation, Eisenia fetida was used as a vermicomposting worm in outdoor open field conditions. The above wastes were mixed separately with fresh cow dung in the ratio 1 : 5 (by weight). The mixtures were vermicomposted for 90 days in pits of size 2 × 0.5 × 0.6 m (l × b × d). The population and biomass of earthworms, and C:N ratios in the resultant vermicomposts were studied at the end of experiment.
Title : Biosorption of Cadmium by Live and Immobilized Cells of Spirulina Platensis
Subject : Environmental Science
Volume No. : 2
Issue No. : 3
Author : Murugesan, A.G * Maheswari, S. and Bagirath, G
Printed Year : 2008
No of Pages :
Description :
Spirulina platensis, a cyanobacterium of economic important was studied for the tolerance to cadmium. The bioassay studies showed the EC50 value to be 1.53 mg/g. The cyanobacterium was very sensitive to low metal concentration and the productivity was also reduced. The chlorophyll pigments reduced with decreasing the algal biomass. The algal survival rate showed a marked reduction in their survival rate from 98% in the control medium to >50% at 1.6 mg/L cadmium and no growth in the culture exposed to cadmium concentration of 1.9 mg/L. The Biosorption studies showed that the algae had a great potential for adsorbing the heavy metal on to the cell. A maximum uptake of 44.56 mg/g was obtained in living cells of Spirulina platensis suggesting the possibility of the algae to be a good biosorbent. Culturing the algae in low metal concentrations can be utilized as potential tertiary treatment for metal containing effluent. The immobilized cell of Spirulina platensis was able to be more effective in absorbing the metal 47.89 mg/g to the cell. The results of the study indicate the potentiality of the algae to be a possible agent for removal of heavy metals from aqueous solutions.
Title : Challenges in the management of epilepsy in resource-poor countries.
Subject : Environmental Science
Volume No. :
Issue No. :
Author : Radhakrishnan K, R. Madhavan Nayar
Printed Year : 2009
No of Pages :
Description :
Of the 50 million people with epilepsy worldwide, around 80% reside in resource-poor countries, which are ill-equipped to tackle the enormous medical, social and economic challenges posed by epilepsy. The capability to identify people with epilepsy and provide cost-effective care is compromised by widespread poverty, illiteracy, inefficient and unevenly distributed health-care systems, and social stigma and misconceptions surrounding the disease. Several studies have reported that a large proportion of patients with epilepsy in resource-poor countries never receive appropriate treatment for their condition, and many, although diagnosed and initiated on treatment, soon discontinue treatment. The high cost of treatment, a lack of availability of antiepileptic drugs, and superstitious and cultural beliefs contribute to a large epilepsy treatment gap. A substantial proportion of the current burden of epilepsy in resource-poor countries could be minimized by educating the public about positive features of life with epilepsy, informing primary and secondary physicians about current trends in the management of epilepsies, scaling up routine availability of low-cost antiepileptic drugs, and developing cost-effective epilepsy surgery programs. A comprehensive epilepsy care model should consider the marked heterogeneity of the disorder and its variable effects on the patient, family and community.
Title : Comparative Study on Start – Up Performance of HUASB and AF Reactors Treating Poultry Slaughterhouse Wastewater
Subject : Environmental Science
Volume No. : 2
Issue No. : 4
Author : : Rajakumar, R.* and Meenambal, T
Printed Year : 2008
No of Pages :
Description :
A study was performed in Hybrid Up flow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (HUASB) and Anaerobic Filter (AF) reactors to compare the start-up time and optimum HRT required for the treatment of poultry slaughterhouse wastewater under similar loading conditions. Initially, the reactors were started at an OLR of 0.77 Kg COD/m3.d and HRT of 36 h. Loading rates were increased by reducing HRT 24, 16, 12, 10 and 8h which corresponds the OLR of 1.15, 1.74, 2.27, 2.74, 3.43 Kg COD/ m3.d. HUASB reactor showed TCOD and SCOD removal efficiencies of 80% and 86%, respectively at an optimum HRT of 10 h whereas AF reactor showed 70% (TCOD) and 79% (SCOD) at optimum HRT of 12 h. Reducing HRT beyond 10h in HUASB reactor shown sludge wash out and lower COD removal efficiencies of less than 80% and beyond 12 h in AF marked decreased efficiencies as low as 66%. HUASB and AF reactors took 120, 147 respectively, for complete start-up. The granules of 2-2.5 mm sizes were observed in HUASB and less than 1 mm were observed in AF with settling velocities ranging between 0.5-0.83 m/min and 0.5-0.65m/min, respectively. From Residence Time Distribution studies, dispersion numbers ( < 0.2) showed both the reactors attained plug flow regime. The present study revealed that the HUASB reactor has very good removal efficiency and less start-up time compared to that of AF reactor for the treatment of poultry slaughterhouse wastewater.
Title : Does substrate quality affect earthworm growth and reproduction patterns in vermicomposting systems? A study using three popular composting earthworms
Subject : Environmental Science
Volume No. : 2
Issue No. : 6
Author : Surindra Suthar, Setha Ram
Printed Year : 2008
No of Pages : 16
Description :
Efforts were made to evaluate the impact of substrate materials (crop residues + sheep manure, cowshed manure, and kitchen waste + leaf litter) on growth and reproduction performance of composting earthworms: Eudrilus eugeniae, Perionyx excavatus and Perionyx sansibaricus, under laboratory conditions. Results indicated that earthworm biomass and cocoon production rate was directly related to the type of earthworm species as well as nature of worm feedstuff. Although cocoon hatchling success did not show any relation with type of culture material, but hatchlings numbers cocoon−1 was directly related with quality of substrate. This study suggests that earthworm production can be managed by using feedstuff having higher nitrogen contents with low C:N ratios.
Title : Energy efficiency management in India: a supply side perspective
Subject : Environmental Science
Volume No. : 7
Issue No. : 1
Author : Neena Sinha, N.V. Kumar
Printed Year : 2009
No of Pages : 14
Description :
The rapid pace of India's industrial development has altered the demand-supply situation for power generation and also set the process of opening up of markets by state regulators. In the backdrop of the expected growth rate of 9% envisaged for the Indian economy, power sector requires a capacity addition of 78,000 MW in the 11th Plan with the objective of 'power for all by 2012'. During fiscal year 2007, India's total energy shortage was 9.9% of its total requirements, and peak shortage was 16.6% of peak demand requirements, indicating the need for effective energy management. Most of the studies related to energy efficiency focus on demand side management (DSM), however, in this paper we propose that an integrated approach incorporating economic reforms, FDI, operational-efficiency improvement of existing power plants, introduction of new energy-efficient technologies and reduction of losses in T&D as practiced in India can be emulated by developing countries.
Title : Enhancement of hydrogen production from Kitchen Waste using heat treated anaerobic biogas plant slurry with pH control
Subject : Journal
Volume No. : 8
Issue No. : 1
Author : S. Jayalakshmi, V. Sukumaran, Kurian Joseph
Printed Year : 2009
No of Pages : 12
Description :
Hydrogen is found to be a clean energy source; biohydrogen has been researched in recent years. Anaerobic Digestion of Kitchen Waste (KW) for hydrogen production was performed in lab scale reactors, using heat-treated anaerobically digested biogas plant slurry. The biogas plant slurry was given heat treatment at varying temperatures ranging from 70 to 100 ° C for 15 min. Enhancement of hydrogen production using heat-treated anaerobic biogas plant slurry with pH control was also studied. To study the effect of pH in hydrogen production, the reactors were operated at varying pH ranging from 4.0 to 6.0. The reactor operated with 100 ° C Heat-Treated Inoculum (HTM) was efficient in hydrogen production from KW. The rate of hydrogen production was 176.2 mL kg−1 TS h−1. Methane was not reported in all the operated reactors except that the reactor operated with 70 ° C HTM. A significant difference was found in the production of hydrogen at different pH conditions and the pH 6 at mesophilic condition proved to be effective in enhancing the production of hydrogen. The rate of hydrogen production in the laboratory scale reactor operated with pH 6.0 was 211.20 ml kg−1 TS h−1. The hydrogen concentration was found to be 55-60% and the remaining was CO2. Normal butyrate was the main acid product, and the percentages of butyrate, acetate and propionate at tested conditions were 45-50, 20-25 and 20-25%, respectively.
Title : Evolution of the coastal wetland systems of SW India during the Holocene: Evidence from marine and terrestrial archives of Kollam coast, Kerala
Subject : Quaternary International
Volume No. : 237 (1–2)
Issue No. :
Author : D. Padmalal, K.P.N. Kumaran, K.M. Nair, B. Baijulal, Ruta B. Limaye, S. Vishnu Mohan, Centre for Earth Science Studies, Thuruvaikkal P.O., Thiruvananthapuram
Printed Year : 2011
No of Pages : 123–139
Description :
Abstract: Kerala coast in southwest India is endowed with an interlacing network of wetlands evolved during the Late Quaternary. The wetlands in the southern part of Kerala, especially around Kollam district, show antecedent characteristics and are incised on the Neogene sediments. These wetlands include 20.0–35.0 m thick deposits of Holocene sediments containing good archives of landform evolution and climate changes. Holocene sedimentation was initiated at about 8920 ± 110 BP and is represented mainly by sub-fossil wood/peat or carbonaceous clays. Subsequent deposition of brackish water to marine sediments occurred in the Middle Holocene. The proposed evolutionary model reveals that many wetland bodies including Sasthamkotta Lake, Chelupola Lake, Chittumalachira Lake and Kotta Lake were evolved from the proto-estuarine basins. The upper arms of the pre-Holocene Ashtamudi and Paravur estuaries were cut off due to progradation of alluvial sediments during the Holocene Climatic Optimum.
Title : Evolutionary implications and physicochemical analyses of selected proteins from Type III polyketide synthase family
Subject : Environmental Science
Volume No. :
Issue No. :
Author : Mallika. V, Sivakumar K.C and Soniya E.V.
Printed Year : 2011
No of Pages :
Description :
Type III polyketide synthases have a substantial role in the biosynthesis of various polyketides in plants and microorganisms. Comparative proteomic analysis of type III polyketide synthases showed evolutionarily and structurally related positions in a compilation of amino acid sequences from different families.Bacterial and fungal type III polyketide synthase proteins showed <50% similarity but in higher plants, it exhibited >80% among chalcone synthases and >70% in the case of non-chalcone synthases. In a consensus phylogenetic tree based on 1000 replicates; bacterial, fungal and plant proteins were clustered in separate groups. Proteins from bryophytes and pteridophytes grouped immediately near to the fungal cluster, demonstrated how evolutionary lineage has occurred among type III polyketide synthase proteins. Upon physicochemical analysis, it was observed that the proteins localized in the cytoplasm and were hydrophobic in nature. Molecular structural analysis revealed comparatively stable structure comprising of alpha helices and random coils as major structural components. It was found that there was a decline in the structural stability with active site mutation as prophesied by the in silico mutation studies.
Title : Exploring wild genetic resources of Musa acuminata Colla distributed in the humid forests of southern Western Ghats of peninsular India using ISSR markers
Subject : Biotechnology and Bioinforamtics; Plant Cell Reports
Volume No. : 31
Issue No. : 9
Author : Padmesh P, Mukunthakumar S, Vineesh P.S, Skaria R, Hari Kumar K, Krishnan P,N, JNTBGRI
Printed Year : 2012
No of Pages : 1591-1601
Description :
Musa acuminata ssp. burmannica, one of the wild progenitors contributing 'A genome' to the present-day dessert bananas, has a long evolutionary history intervened by human activities. In this study, ISSR markers were used to analyze the pattern of genetic variation and differentiation in 32 individuals along with two reference samples (viz., Musa acuminata ssp. burmannicoides, var. Calcutta 4 and Musa balbisiana) of wild Musa, which corresponded to three populations across the biodiversity-rich hot spot of southern Western Ghats of India. High levels of genetic diversity were revealed both at the species and population levels, using Nei's diversity indices. The hierarchical analysis of molecular variance showed pronounced genetic differentiation, as 96% of the total variance was fixed within population and only 4% among populations. Nei's genetic differentiation coefficient (GST=0.1823) and low gene flow (Nm=1.18) further confirmed this. The positive correlation (Mantel test) between geographic distance and genetic distance (r=0.338 P< 0.001) indicates geographic isolation as one of the key factors in shaping the population genetic structure. Grouping of individuals was largely in conformity with their spatial distribution, which was confirmed by UPGMA cluster analysis and PCA scatter plot clustering all 32 individuals into three major groups along a geographical gradient. The discontinuous distribution and dwindling population due to habitat fragmentation are serious threats to prevailing genetic diversity in this species. Conservation measures based on diversity pattern are suggested for long-term preservation and sustainable utilization of this precious genetic resource. KEY MESSAGE: A diverse germplasm of Musa acuminata ssp. burmannica exists in southern Western Ghats as a possible repository of useful resistant traits, which can be effectively utilized for crop improvement.
Title : Gender mainstreaming in health: looking back, looking forward.
Subject : Environmental Science
Volume No. : 3
Issue No. : 1
Author : Ravindran TK, Kelkar-Khambete A
Printed Year : 2008
No of Pages :
Description :
This paper reviews published literature on experiences in mainstreaming gender within the health sector since the 1990s. Although much has been written about the need for mainstreaming gender, and on how to go about it, the gap between intention and practice is palpable. National health policies and programmes that have gender integrally woven into their objectives and activities are rare. Health research to generate gender and sex-specific data, and integrating gender in health provider training, have received scarce attention. Mainstreaming gender within institutions has remained superficial, investing more on form than on content. The apparent lack of progress in mainstreaming gender in health may be attributed to: depoliticization and delinking of gender mainstreaming from social transformation and social justice agendas; adoption of top-down approaches to mainstreaming; growing hostility within the global policy environment to justice and equity concerns; and increasing privatization and retraction of the state's role in health. This paper suggests that the way forward would be to frame gender concerns in the language of equity, rights, and justice; to set agendas which consider gender inequity within the context of inequities by caste, class, ethnicity, and other sources of health inequalities; and to work alongside other movements for social justice.
Title : Geochemical Reactivity of Surficial and Core Sediment of a Tropical Mangrove Ecosystem
Subject : Environmental Science
Volume No. : 2
Issue No. : 4
Author : Geetha, R.,* Chandramohanakumar, N. and Mathews, L
Printed Year : 2008
No of Pages :
Description :
Sediments from the surface, core waterwaand vegetation of tropical mangroves were collected from tropical mangroves, India. Total phosphorus, total nitrogen, organic carbon, protein, carbohydrate and tannin and lignin in these samples were estimated. The C/N and C/P of the leaves present in Mangalavanam, Vypeen, and Nettoor are in good agreement with that of the sediment and this -result indicated that the main source of the sediment organic matter is the plant remains. The profile of C/N ratios shows a decrease towards the depth, but lies within that of the oligotrophic lakes and plant tissues and peat. The decay rate of C and N indicated that the main reactivity is in the first 5cm of the sediment, which is subjected to re-suspension and significant bio-turbation. But there existed a uniform decay pattern at 10 cm and 15 cm. In the case of monsoon season and post monsoon season a random character was observed at 15 cm depth, which can be attributed to the effective release of organic matter from that depth zone. To assess the reactivity of the systems, the classic one G model with slight modifications to suit to the system was employed.
Title : Impact of future climate changes on high pollution levels
Subject : Environmental Science
Volume No. : 32
Issue No. : 2
Author : Ivan Dimov, Gerald Geernaert, Zahari Zlatev
Printed Year : 2008
No of Pages : 30
Description :
Changes in climate variability as well as changes in extreme weather and climate events in the 20th century, especially those that took place during the last two to three decades of the 20th century, have been discussed in many recent scientific publications. Attempts to project the results of such studies in the future have been made under different assumptions. In this paper, we have chosen one of the well-known scenarios predicting changes of the climate in the world during the last 30 years of the 21st century. This scenario is used, together with several general predictions related to the future climate, to produce three climatic scenarios. The derived climatic scenarios are used to calculate predictions for future pollution levels in Denmark and in Europe by applying the Unified Danish Eulerian Model (UNI-DEM), on a space domain containing the whole of Europe.
Title : Improved performance of a biomaterial-based cation exchanger for the adsorption of uranium (vi) from water and nuclear industry wastewater
Subject : Environmental Science
Volume No. : 100
Issue No. : 3
Author : Anirudhan TS, Radhakrishnan PG
Printed Year : 2009
No of Pages : 7
Description :
The amine-modified polyhydroxyethylmethacrylate (poly(HEMA))-grafted biomaterial (tamarind fruit shell, TFS) carrying carboxyl functional groups at the chain end (PGTFS-COOH) was prepared and used as an adsorbent for the removal of uranium(VI) from water and nuclear industry wastewater. FTIR spectral analysis revealed that U(VI) ions and PGTFS-COOH formed a chelate complex. The adsorption process was relatively fast, requiring only 120min to attain equilibrium. The adsorption kinetic data were best described by the pseudo-second-order equation. The equilibrium adsorption data were correlated with the Sips isotherm model. The maximum U(VI) ions uptake with PGTFS-COOH was estimated to be 100.79mg/g. The complete removal of 10mg/L U(VI) from simulated nuclear industry wastewater was achieved by 3.5g/L PGTFS-COOH. The reusability of the adsorbent was demonstrated over 4 cycles using NaCl (1.0M)+HCl (0.5M) solution mixture to de-extract the U(VI). The results show that the PGTFS-COOH tested is very promising for the recovery of U(VI) from water and wastewater.
Title : Influence of several factors during collection and preservation prior to analysis of arsenic in groundwater: A case study from West Bengal, India
Subject : Journal
Volume No. : 3
Issue No. : 1
Author : Tarit Roychowdhury
Printed Year : 2008
No of Pages : 19
Description :
To avoid the discrepancy in analytical results, sets of experiments were studied on mode of sampling, sample storage and time interval study and its effect were noted on groundwater arsenic concentration from West Bengal, India. Arsenic concentration decreased gradually with time and higher iron concentration, higher arsenic loss (due to co-precipitation with iron) was observed for non-acidified samples. Somewhat lesser loss of arsenic was observed under refrigerated condition, compared to room temperature and about 99% of iron was lost within a day under non-acidified condition. About 91-98% and 96-100% of arsenic were recovered within first three days for acidified samples, stored in room temperature and refrigerated condition, respectively. A considerable amount of arsenic was lost with time due to the adsorption on plastic container surface/precipitation with other elements/volatilization, especially for acidified water samples. Linear regressions showed very good correlations between initial iron concentration and loss of arsenic for non-acidified samples. Particulates (colloidal iron hydroxide) present in pumped groundwater contributed a considerable amount of arsenic and with time, less to lesser particles was coming out with pour water. Average 166% and 23.5% (up to five and fifteen months from installation, respectively) higher results of arsenic were observed for the unfiltered waters compared to the filtered (Millipore membrane filter, 0.45 µm), collected from the newly installed tubewells, 1 month and 11 months old, respectively. Whereas, an average 12% higher value of arsenic was observed in unfiltered waters compared to the filtered, for the older tubewells, 2-9 years old. Very good correlations were observed between water arsenic concentrations in filtered and unfiltered samples for older tubewells. An average ±14% variation of both arsenic and iron concentrations in groundwater (n=23) was observed round the year.
Title : Land application of Water Treatment Residuals: effect on wheat yield and the availability of phosphorus and aluminium
Subject : Environmental Science
Volume No. : 2
Issue No. : 6
Author : Elsayed Ahmed Elkhatib, Ahmed Mohamed Mahdy
Printed Year : 2008
No of Pages : 18
Description :
Water Treatment Residuals (WTR) can be a potential source for available phosphorus (P) and Al, but the influence of WTR rates on the dynamics of available P and Al and plant uptake in alkaline soils are not well documented. Our objective was to evaluate the effects of WTR (Alum-sludge) on the agronomic performance of wheat crop grown in alkaline soils as well as P and Al availability and extractability. Wheat (Triticum aestivum L) plants were grown in three alkaline soils amended with WTR at five rates. After 13 weeks, plant shoots, panicles and roots were harvested separately and P and Al were measured. Increases of 246, 32% and 43% in total dry matter yield were achieved as a result of applying 30 g kg−1 WTR to sandy, clay and calcareous soils respectively. The trend of P concentration in different parts of wheat plants in response to applied WTR was negative quadratic (P < 0.01). The application rates of WTR used in this study did not increase extractable Al in amended soils >6 mg Al kg−1. Therefore, slight increases in available Al from application of WTR should not have adverse effects on soils or plants.
Title : Markers of fetal onset adult diseases.
Subject : Environmental Science
Volume No. :
Issue No. :
Author : Nair L, Nair MK, Chacko DS
Printed Year : 2009
No of Pages :
Description :
The fetal origins hypothesis, proposes that non-communicable diseases including coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes and hypertension originate through the responses of a fetus to undernutrition, that permanently change the structure and function of the body. Associations between low birthweight and disease in later life have been widely studied in Europe and the USA. Studies in southern India have shown that babies who are short and fat tend to become insulin deficient and have high rates of non-insulin dependent diabetes. These findings have important public health implications as it suggests that associations with body size at birth underestimate the contribution of intrauterine development to later disease, and also, that while the primary prevention of coronary heart disease and non-insulin dependent diabetes may ultimately depend on changing the body composition and diets of young women. Therefore, more immediate benefit may come from preventing imbalances between prenatal and postnatal growth among children. The basic premise of the thrifty gene hypothesis is that certain populations may have genes that determine increased fat storage, which in times of famine represent a survival advantage, but in a modern environment result in obesity and type 2 diabetes. The fetal origins theory is of greatest relevance to the developing world and the implications of this work for global health are enormous. To reduce chronic diseases, we need to understand how the human fetus is nourished and how malnutrition changes its physiology and metabolism, so that interventions be implemented to limit the damage. The challenge for the next decade must be to discover the cellular and molecular mechanisms giving rise to these associations. If this aim is accomplished, it might be possible to devise strategies to reduce the impact of these disabling chronic and expensive diseases.
Title : Morphology of Indirana semipalmata (Boulenger, 1882) (Amphibia; Anura) adults and tadpoles from the Western Ghats, India
Subject : Herpetology Notes
Volume No. : 5
Issue No. :
Author :
Printed Year : 2012
No of Pages : 263-273
Description :
The species of the endemic genus Indirana (Amphibia; Anura) from Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot are little studied, and morphology, life history and behaviour of most of the species – the tadpoles in particular - remain to be described. Here, we describe the morphology of adult and tadpole stages of South-Indian Brown Leaping frog (I. semipalmata), a species for which earlier descriptions are either sketchy (adults) or lacking (tadpoles). Apart from providing detailed and extended description of diagnostic features of different life-stages, information is also provided about tadpole behaviour and habits. To ensure solid basis for descriptions, the identity of described adult specimens were verified by comparison to type specimens and the identity of tadpoles with aid of DNA barcoding methods. Hence, the current study also highlights the utility of DNA barcoding in identification of tadpoles at various stages of development. In general, the provided descriptions should aid further studies of frogs in genus Indirana, as well as provide practical help for field identification.
Title : Particulate Pollution Mitigating Ability of Some Plant Species
Subject : Environmental Science
Volume No. : 3
Issue No. : 1
Author : Kulshreshtha, K.*, Rai, A., Mohanty, C.S., Roy, R.K. and Sharma
Printed Year : 2009
No of Pages :
Description :
Foliar surface of plants is continuously exposed to the surrounding atmosphere and is, therefore, the main receptor of particulate pollutants. 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 the present study, leaf cuticle characters of four common roadside plant species, namely Bougainvillea 'Mahara', Terminalia arjuna (Roxb.) Wt. and Arn, Cassia fistula Linn, and Polyalthia longifolia Thw. were studied from sites with heavy particulate pollutants in the atmosphere and compared with those of control/ non polluted environs to evaluate their respective pollution mitigating ability. The particles deposited on the leaf surface were 2.5 to 10.0 μm in size and the dust load was recorded in the trend of T. arjuna (2.31 mg/cm2)> C. fistula (1.47 mg/ cm2) > B. 'Mahara' (1.33 mg/cm2) and P. longifolia (0.97 mg/cm2). The increase in the size and frequency of epidermal cells and stomata were observed. Cuticle rupture was a major injury symptom, that was observed in T. arjuna, C. fistula and P. longifolia while no cuticular damage was not observed in B. 'Mahara'. On the basis of these observations it can be concluded that B. 'Mahara' is a dust mitigator and it adsorbs and / or absorbs the pollutants from the environment in which it grows.
Title : Pattern of distribution of global CO2 emission by countries
Subject : Environmental Science
Volume No. : 9
Issue No. : 1/2
Author : Soumyananda Dinda
Printed Year : 2009
No of Pages : 6
Description :
This study examines carefully the distribution aspects in details, particularly the pattern of distribution of global CO2 emission. This paper investigates the share of CO2 emission for bottom 10 and top 10 percentiles, quartiles and their movements during 1960-1990.
Title : Relationship between heavy mineral placer deposits and hinterland rocks of southern Kerala: A new approach for source-to-sink link from the chemistry of garnets
Subject : Environmental Science
Volume No. : 39(4),
Issue No. :
Author : Ravindra Kumar, G. Sreejith, C.Centre for Earth Science Studies, Thiruvananthapuram
Printed Year :
No of Pages : 562-571.
Description :
Abstract: Beach sediments of the Kerala coast contain rich economically important heavy mineral deposits. Most previous studies have traced the source of heavy minerals to the Precambrian crystalline formations in the hinterland based on comparative mineral occurrences. No previous study has attempted to utilize petrological and geochemical characteristics and mineral chemistry of source rocks to effectively compare and determine sediment provenance. A clear knowledge on the composition of minerals from source and sink is important in precise recognition of source rock. Present study consists the geological, geomorphologic setting and mineralogical characteristics of hinterland rocks to trace their connection to placer deposits. It is recognized that garnet as the abundant heavy mineral in the placer sediments and in source rocks of different ages and petrogenetic affinity. Garnet composition varies between different source rock types due to its strong dependency on the bulk rock composition. In order to decipher the provenance we have compared major element composition of garnet in the source rocks and placer deposits. Compelling similarities in mineralogical and mineral chemical characteristics of garnets (Alm68Prp28Grs3Sps1) is noted between khondalites and placer sediments suggesting latter as major source rock for placer deposits of southern Kerala. The study demonstrates excellent potential of garnets in identifying placer mineral source. Journal: Indian Journal of Geo-Marine Sciences, v.39(4),562-571.
Title : Risk factors according to estrogen receptor status of breast cancer patients in Trivandrum, South India.
Subject : Environmental Science
Volume No. :
Issue No. :
Author : Dey S, Boffetta P, Mathews A, Brennan P, Soliman A, Mathew A
Printed Year : 2009
No of Pages :
Description :
Estrogen receptor (ER) status is an important biomarker in defining subtypes of breast cancer differing in antihormonal therapy response, risk factors and prognosis. However, little is known about association of ER status with various risk factors in the developing world. Our case-control study done in Kerala, India looked at the associations of ER status and risk factors of breast cancer. From 2002 to 2005, 1,208 cases and controls were selected at the Regional Cancer Center (RCC), Trivandrum, Kerala, India. Information was collected using a standardized questionnaire, and 3-way analyses compared ER+/ER- cases, ER+ cases/controls and ER- cases/controls using unconditional logistic regression to calculate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. The proportion of ER- cases was higher (64.1%) than ER+ cases. Muslim women were more likely to have ER- breast cancer compared to Hindus (OR = 1.48, 95% CI = 1.09, 2.02), an effect limited to premenopausal group (OR = 1.87, 95% CI = 1.26, 2.77). Women with higher socioeconomic status were more likely to have ER+ breast cancer (OR = 1.48, 95% CI = 1.11, 1.98). Increasing BMI increased likelihood of ER- breast cancer in premenopausal women (p for trend < 0.001). Increasing age of marriage was positively associated with both ER+ and ER- breast cancer. Increased breastfeeding and physical activity were in general protective for both ER+ and ER- breast cancer. The findings of our study are significant in further understanding the relationship of ER status and risk factors of breast cancer in the context of the Indian subcontinent. (c) 2009 UICC.
Title : Seasonal Dynamics of Dissolved Metals in Surface Coastal Waters of Southwest India
Subject : Environmental Science; Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology
Volume No. : 87
Issue No. : 6
Author : P. Udayakumar, A. Chandran, J. Jean Jose, B. R. Rajesh, K. Narendra Babu, P. P. Ouseph
Printed Year : 2011
No of Pages : 662-668
Description :
Abstract: Spatial and temporal variations in concentration of dissolved metals viz. Copper (Cu), Lead (Pb), Chromium (Cr), Nickel (Ni), Zinc (Zn), Cadmium (Cd) and Mercury (Hg) in surface waters of southwest coast of India were studied. Concentrations of metals showed an aberration both temporally and spatially. Seasonal average concentrations of the analyzed metals followed the order Zn > Ni > Cu > Pb > Cd > Cr > Hg. The degree of contamination due to metal was determined by comparison with coastal water quality criteria. It established enrichment of Cu, Zn, Ni and Hg due to anthropogenic influence along southwest coast of India.
