Archives of Agriculture and Environmental Science
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Impacts of coal mine water and Damodar River water irrigation on soil and maize (Zea mays L.) in a coalfield area of Damodar Valley, India
Get PDFThe present investigation was carried out to assess the environmental and biochemical impacts due to irrigation of coal mine water and Damodar River water on Kharif crop, maize (Zea mays L.) in a coalfield area of Damodar Valley, India. Coal mine water and Damodar River water samples were collected for the monitoring of its quality from a coalfield area of Damodar Valley. The samples were analyzed for various parameters and compared with prescribed standard, which revealed that the total suspended solids of coal mine water were higher as Damodar River water. A pot experiment with Z. mays was conducted to study the suitability of this coal mine water for irrigation. The plants of Z. mays in the pots were irrigated with coal mine water and Damodar River water in two concentrations (100% and 50% dilution with double distilled water) and pure double distilled water was used for control. There was 100% germination of Z. mays in all the treatments. The plant growth, chlorophyll content of Z. mays and soil quality parameters were significantly better in coal mine water and Damodar River water treated pots. However, the Damodar River water and coal mine water could be successfully used for irrigation. In general, coal mine water and Damodar River water can be used after mixing with good quality of water has shown better growth of Z. mays
Nutrient characteristics assessment of two variants of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench.) found in Anambra State, Nigeria
Get PDFNutrient analysis was carried out on the leaves and fruits of two variants of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) namely: Clemson spineless and dwarf long green varieties of A. esculentus commonly found in Anambra State, Nigeria, to determine their nutritional data with regards to protein, carbohydrate, moisture, ash contents, crude fibre and crude fat contents of A. esculentus using standard analytical techniques. Results were analyzed using analysis of variance. The leaves and fruits of the two varieties of A. esculentus investigated were found to contain the examined nutrient in varying compositions. Carbohydrate and moisture were higher in the fruits of both varieties of A. esculentus (Clemson spineless and dwarf long green) when compared to the leaves (67.09±0.02 and 11.45±0.07), respectively. Ash content, protein, crude fat and crude fibre of A. esculentus were higher in the leaves of both varieties when compared to the fruits (9.10±0.14, 21.55±0.21, 5.33±0.18 and 18.68±0.04) of A. esculentus, respectively. Protein and ash of A. esculentus were higher in the leaves of Clemson spineless when compared to dwarf long green. Crude fat and crude fibre were higher in the leaves of dwarf long green when compared to Clemson spineless. This study has demonstrated that these varieties (Clemson spineless and dwarf long green) of A. esculentus examined are power house of nutrients and can contribute significantly to human health. The study revealed that the leaves of A. esculentus are more nutritious than fruits. It is concluded from the present study that nutritional trials of both varieties (Clemson spineless and dwarf long green) of okra could be an additional aid to the breeding improvement programme of A. esculentus.Breeding improvement programm
Phyto-adsorption treatment of paper mill effluent using leaf powder of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes [Mart.] Solms
Get PDFIn this present study, an experiment was performed to find the potential of leaf powder of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) in treating paper mill effluent. During the study the value of different parameters viz., pH (5.80±0.10), TDS (980.22±12.52 mgL-1), EC (6.52±0.11 dS m-1), BOD (86.42±4.61 mgL-1), COD (281.01±8.66 mgL-1), PO43- (71.46±6.00 mgL-1), TKN (84.99±3.92 mgL-1), Na (136.94±6.66 mgL-1), K (95.01±3.48 mgL-1) and total hardness (442.39±3.78 mgL-1) of paper mill effluent were recorded higher before bio-adsorption treatment using leaf powder of E. crassipes. The leaf powder of E. crassipes significantly (P<0.05/P<0.01) removed TDS, EC, BOD, COD, TKN, Na, K and total hardness of the paper mill effluent. The result of the present study on the bio-adsorption treatment using leaf powder of E. crassipes of paper mill effluent showed maximum reduction in the effluent characteristics viz., pH (6.62±0.08), TDS (848.42±7.67 mgL-1), EC (4.08±0.17 dS m-1), BOD (62.56±3.39 mgL-1), COD (218.11±8.59 mgL-1), PO43- (50.13±4.33 mgL-1), TKN (63.04±6.47 mgL-1), Na (100.06±6.99 mgL-1), K (66.00±7.38 mgL-1) and total hardness (347±9.86 mgL-1) of paper mill effluent after bio-adsorption treatment using leaf powder of E. crassipes. The maximum removal of TDS (13.45%), EC (37.43%), BOD (25.89%), COD (22.38%), PO43- (29.85%), TKN (25.83%), Na (26.94%), K (30.54%) and Total hardness (21.56%) in the paper mill effluent were recovered after phyto-adsorption treatment using leaf powder of E. crassipes. The decrease of paper mill effluent parameter is likely due to that the leaf powder of water hyacinth absorbs the nutrient from the effluent. Therefore, the leaf powder of can be used as phyto-adsorbent for the removal of various pollution parameters
Spatial distribution of solid waste disposal sites in Allahabad city, Uttar Pradesh, India using GIS approach
Get PDFThe present investigation was conducted to study the spatial distribution of solid waste disposal sites in Allahabad city, Uttar Pradesh, India using GIS approach. In this investigation site determination for the transfer of strong waste is performed utilizing geographical information system (GIS), the analytical hierarchy process (AHP), and remote detecting strategies for the Allahabad city. In GIS, every single possible prerequisite are at first indicated, spatial information coordinated and overlaid and in view of the last yield got appropriate naturally kindhearted destinations for squander transfer are recognized. Analytical hierarchy process give a deliberate way to deal with evaluating and incorporating the effects of different variables, including a few levels for surveying and coordinating the effects of different components, including a few levels dependent and free, qualitative and quantitative data. Remote Sensing pictures and Survey of India topomaps were utilized to extricate data on badlands and other lands utilize highlights, geography, hydro-geomorphology, seepage, street systems and slant of the region. Various tools and software’s were used for the study like Arc GIS 10.1 LIS III image, SRTM DATA, ERDAS imagine etc. The results of the present study indicated that maps of land use cover/land use change/ satellite imageries and GIS tool were benefited for characterizing appropriate plans and methodologies for effective solid waste management plan in metropolitan cities. Therefore, GIS tools, satellite imageries, maps must be considered for the implementation of solid waste management policies
Assessment of rainwater quality in industrial area of rural Panipat (Haryana), India
Get PDFThis study was conducted in Panipat industrial area for the evaluation rain water quality and indirectly the air pollution load created by industries in the vicinity. The rain water quality of first rain was assessed for the evaluation of air pollution load of region. Selected physico-chemical characteristics like temperature, pH (6.23-6.85), TDS (105-187 mg L-1), DO (4.2-5.6 mg L-1), Free CO2 (0.8 mg L-1), Pb (0.09 mg L-1), Fe (0.085-0.132 mg L-1), sulphate (121.2-131.8 mg L-1), silica (3.51-7.26 mg L-1), turbidity (11-19 NTU), total hardness (81-120 mg L-1), chloride (3.20-6.75 mg L-1), BOD (2-4 mg L-1), and COD (14-31 mg L-1) were detected for the evaluation of pollution load in rainwater. The present study revealed that the water quality of first rain was found highly polluted in comparison to second rain. The difference between first heavy rain and second rain was found significant and in favour of increasing air pollution in the industrial area. The trace amount of chloride, silica, lead, iron, sulphate, free carbon dioxide was found in first heavy rain of the region while in the second rain all these were found in very less quantity. The difference in the concentrations of pollutants in rainwater gives the basic idea about the air pollution load of the vicinity. In fact, this is a novel technique to monitor air pollution load of any particular area using rainwater quality monitoring
A review on toxicity of heavy metals due to intake of contaminated bovine milk
Get PDFEnvironmental pollution is a grievous problem that people on the earth encounter. Anthropogenic activities such as industrialization, urbanization and especially agricultural activities have made a substantial contribution causing the deteriorations of land resources, atmosphere and hydrosphere. Heavy metals being a noticeable pollutant in the environmental pollution have already caused direct and indirect toxicities to human beings. These heavy metals tend to accumulate through food chains and food webs in human and animal tissues leading them to suffer from variety of health problems. Milk and other dairy products have played a significant route of heavy metal exposure to humans since they are largely being consumed at present. This review provides a snapshot about the threats associated with ingestion of toxic heavy metals through milk and other dairy products as to be vigilant in order to ensure the food safety
Climatic fluctuations in Uttarakhand Himalayan region and resulting impacts: A review
Get PDFThe Himalayan Mountains are the stock of precious biodiversity and water, and providers of ecosystem goods and services on which local communities depend. These “clean” regions are becoming victims of transport of atmospheric pollutants and climate-altering substances. Uttarak-hand state has become victim of several catastrophic events such as Cloud bursts, landslides and Floods in past few years. The young Himalaya is facing worse calamities with every passing year. The devastation in Uttarakhand in June, 2013 showed that some of the effects of climate change are already upon us. Flash floods in Uttarakhand were inevitable, given the record rainfall. But their strength was multiplied by glacial lake outbursts. And the effects were worsened many times by ill-planned development. It ought to serve as a wake-up call to desist from a development model that upsets fragile ecosystems on a large scale and impoverishes people who are already highly vulnerable to a wide range of social and economic problems. The economy of the mountain com-munities of Uttarakhand is largely dependent on its natural resource base and climate-sensitive livelihoods like subsistence agriculture, and forestry. However, the impacts of climate change are visible in mid- and high- altitude regions in the shape of changes in ecosystems and changes in seasons. These changes have both positive and negative effects on resource-based livelihoods. There is a need to identify the changes that are currently visible in the mountain regions, analyze them and help the local communities to adapt to them
Morphological and nutritional assessment of leaf, stem and root of Zanthoxylum macrophylla (Rutaceae)
Get PDFMorphological and nutritional studies were carried out on various parts (leaf, stem, root and petiole) of Zanthoxylum macrophylla to determine its taxonomical and nutrient data with regards to morphological and nutritional characters using standard methods. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was employed in data analyses. Result revealed among other features, the habit of the plant to be tree with prickle stem, imparipinnately compound and reticulate leaves. The various parts contained all the investigated nutrients but in varied quantities. Moisture and fibre were highest in the leaf, (9.40%±0.009) and (14.55%±0.016) of Z. macrophylla respectively. Fat and ash were highest in the stem (10.75%±0.125 and 5.10±0.010) of Z. macrophylla respectively. Both (the stem and the leaf Z. macrophylla) have equal amount of protein (5.95±0.007 and 5.95±0.001) respectively. Results have indicated that these parts of Z. macrophylla are rich in nutrient and could be extracted for the manufacture of food supplements and drugs. The obtained data could be used to enhance proper taxonomic characterisation and identification of the species Z. macrophylla
Length-weight relationship and condition factor of Mugil cephalus and Oreochromis niloticus from a Tidal creek in the Niger Delta, Nigeria
Get PDFThe aim of this study was to assess the length-weight relationship (LWR) and condition factor (K) of Mugil cephalus and Oreochromis niloticus obtained from a tidal creek in the Niger Delta Nigeria. Six samples of each species were randomly collected monthly (January – December 2015) from fisher men making a total of 144 samples. Samples were immediately taken to the laboratory in ice pack coolers for analysis. The b-values ranged from 0.913-3.172 and 1.624-3.484 while K-values ranged from 0.79-1.07 and 1.01-1.08 for M. cephalus and O. niloticus respectively. The results indicated positive and negative allometric growth patterns (b>3 & b<3) for the two fish species, a departure from the cub law, but M. cephalus exhibited isometric growth pattern (b=3.003) during just one month of the study period, a compliance with the cube law. Growth coefficient also had obvious inter and intra specific variation while condition factor did not but indicated wellbeing of fish samples examined. The weight of both fish showed significant difference (P<0.01/ P<0.05) with respect to time while R2 values indicated strong linear relationship between length and weight. The study concluded that allometric growth pattern observed for the two fish species had both inter and intra specific variation along temporal lines. However, inter and intra specific condition of fish examined was relatively stable across study period suggesting the two different species could have responded to ecological and environmental variables similarly
Evaluation of antagonistic activities of Bacillus spp. against certain bacteria of medical importance
Get PDFIn this work we focused on the antagonistic potential of Bacillus spp. isolates from cow dung. Out of fourteen bacterial strains, isolate KD104 and KD117 were probably identified as Bacillus spp. These two isolates were screened for their antagonistic activity against 14 test organisms viz., Vibrio Cholera (MTCC 3904), Salmonella typhi (MTCC 3216), Escherichia coli (SGPGI), Staphylococcus aureus (MTCC 7443), Bacillus subtilis (MTCC 441), Bacillus cereus (MTCC 6728), Proteus vulgaris (MTCC 426), Enterococcus faecalis (MTCC 439), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MTCC 424), Escherichria coli (MTCC 118), Shigella flexneri (MTCC 1457), Salmonella typhimurium (MTCC 3231), Streptoccus pyogenes (MTCC 442) and Staphylocccus aureus (MTCC 3160) using cross-streak method. The preliminary screening revealed significant antimicrobial effect of both isolates against Vibrio Cholera (MTCC 3904), Salmonella typhi (MTCC 3216), Escherichia coli (SGPGI), and Bacillus cereus (MTCC 6728). Therefore, this study indicates that these Bacillus species may be up-hold to industrial level for production of antimicrobial agent, which should be further analyzed for its possibility to be used as therapeutic agent