Nify, Benny; Dr.Sujatha, C H(Cochin University of Science and Technology, June , 2009)
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Abstract:
The thesis deals with a benchmark study of dissolved and sedimentary sulphur
compounds which play prominent roles in the prevailing redox conditions in the
selected sites of Cochin estuarine system. Sulphur and its analogues play prominent
roles in estuarine biochemical processes. A complete knowledge on the sulphur
involvement in these processes is restricted due to the lacking of data on the organic
sulphur compounds. Sulphate and sulphide in surface and bottom water and
Sulphate, acid volatile sulphide and total sulphur in sediments were studied and
correlated to know their interrelations in determining the redox condition of the
environment. It also characterises the sediments of the sites on the basis of total
organic carbon: total sulphur ratio. The study had attempted to decrease the
concentration levels of sulphur in the sedimentary environment by the application of
a remedial measure. Knowledge of sulphur uptake by plants from prior literatures
has prompted to use phytoremediation for decreasing the sulphur concentration.
Phytoremediation is an emerging technology that uses plants to clean up or remediate
contaminated soil, sludges, sediments, and ground water through contaminant
removal, degradation or containment. The plant selected was wheat grass since
earlier studies have shown that wheat grass is effective in remediating pollutants
particularly trace metals. So reduction in the concentration of selected trace metals
was also focussed.
Description:
Department of Chemical Oceanography, Cochin University of Science and Technology