Alex Paikada,Mathew; Sivasankara Pillai,V N(School of rural development and appropriate technology: CUSAT Environmental studies, 2005)
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Abstract:
The study conducted on the salinity intrusion and seasonal water quality variations in the tidal canals of cochin. The main objectives are, salinity intrusion profile, water quality variation of the surface water of the canals,hierarchical utility of the water bodies and to understand the non-conservative components in the water body. The parameters monitored werepH,temperature,alkalinity,conductivity,DO(dissolvedoxygen),COD(chemical oxygen demand),BOD(biochemical oxygen demand0,chloride, total hardness, calcium hardness, dissolved phosphate, nitrate, total iron, sulphate, turbidity, total coliform and SUVA at 254nm. The tidal canals of GCDA were found to be creeks extending to the interior, canals inter connecting parts of the estuary or canals with seasonally broken segments. Based on utility the canals could be classified as: canals heavely polluted and very saline,canals polluted by urban waste , canals having fresh water for most part of the year and not much polluted, fresh water bodies heavily polluted.
During the rainy months carbon fixation by plankton is nonexistent,and during the dry months Chitrapuzha becomes a sink of phosphate. The study indicated abiotic subrouts for dissolved phosphate and revealed the potential pitfalls in LOICZ modeling exercise on sewage ladentidal canals. It was also found that all canals except for the canals of West cochin and chittoorpuzha have fresh water for some part of the year. The water quality index in the durable fresh water stretches was found to be of below average category.
Anju, S. G; Dr. Suguna Yesodharan(Cochin University of Science and Technology, November , 2015)
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Abstract:
The term ‘water pollution’ broadly refers to the contamination of
water and water bodies (e.g. lakes, rivers, oceans, groundwater etc).
Water pollution occurs when pollutants are discharged directly or
indirectly into water bodies without adequate treatment to remove the
harmful contaminants. This affects not only the plants and organisms
living in these bodies of water but also the entire natural biological
communities and the biodiversity.Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs) have been tested as
environment-friendly techniques for the treatment of contaminated water,
in view of their ability to convert pollutants into harmless end products.
These techniques refer to a set of treatment procedures designed to
remove organic or inorganic contaminants in wastewater by oxidation.
The contaminants are oxidized by different reagents such as air, oxygen,
ozone, and hydrogen peroxide which are introduced in precise, preprogrammed
dosages, sequences and combinations under appropriate
conditions. The procedure when combined with light in presence of
catalyst is known as photocatalysis. When ultrasound (US) is used as the
energy source, the process is referred as sonication. Sonication in
presence of catalyst is referred as sonocatalysis. Of late, combination of
light and sound as energy sources has been tested for the decontamination
of wastewater in the presence of suitable catalyst. In this case, the process
is referred as sonophotocatalysis. These AOPs are specially advantageous
in pollution control and waste water treatment because unlike many other
technologies, they do not just transfer the pollutant from one phase to another but completely degrade them into innocuous substances such as
CO2 and H2O.
Dipson, P T; Dr.Harindranathan Nair, M V(Cochin University Of Science And Technology, November , 2012)
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Abstract:
Urban developments have exerted immense pressure on wetlands.
Urban areas are normally centers of commercial activity and continue to attract
migrants in large numbers in search of employment from different areas. As a
result, habitations keep coming up in the natural areas / flood plains. This is
happening in various Indian cities and towns and large habitations are coming
up in low-lying areas, often encroaching even over drainage channels. In
some cases, houses are constructed even on top of nallahs and drains.
In the case of Kochi the situation is even worse as the base of the
urban development itself stands on a completely reclaimed island. Also the
topography and geology demanded more reclamation of land when the city
developed as an agglomerative cluster. Cochin is a coastal settlement
interspersed with a large backwater system and fringed on the eastern side by
laterite-capped low hills from which a number of streams drain into the
backwater system. The ridge line of the eastern low hills provides a welldefined
watershed delimiting Cochin basin which help to confine the
environmental parameters within a physical limit. This leads to an obvious
conclusion that if physiography alone is considered, the western flatland is
ideal for urban development. However it will result in serious environmental
deterioration, as it comprises mainly of wetland and for availability of land there
has to be large scale filling up of these wetlands which includes shallow
mangrove-fringed water sheets, paddy fields, Pokkali fields, estuary etc.Chapter 1
School 4 of Environmental Studies
The urban boundaries of Cochin are expanding fast with a consequent
over-stretching of the existing fabric of basic amenities and services.
Urbanisation leads to the transformation of agricultural land into built-up areas
with the concomitant problems regarding water supply, drainage, garbage and
sewage disposal etc. Many of the environmental problems of Cochin are
hydrologic in origin; like water-logging / floods, sedimentation and pollution in
the water bodies as well as shoreline erosion
Description:
School of Environmental Studies
Cochin University of Science and Technology
Mohanan, Choran; Dr.Jyoti, Sharma K(Cochin University of Science And Technology, May , 1994)
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Abstract:
Bamboos are vulnerable to various diseases which affect them in
nurseries, plantations as well as in natural stands. In India, rot and
blight of emerging culms have already been identified as the limiting
factor of the bamboo production in many bamboo growing areas,
especially in the coastal belts of Orissa (Jamaluddin et a1., 1992).
Similarly, foliage blight and rust have been recorded to pose threat
to nursery as well as outplanted seedlings which are in the early
establishnent phase (Bakshi et a1., 1972; Harsh et a1., 1989). With
the increased emphasis and priority on raising multipurpose tree
species, large—scale planting of bamboos has been initiated recently
in the State. Limited experience in raising the bamboo seedlings
together with the lack of information on bamboo diseases and their
control measures often resulted in partial to complete failure of many
nurseries. Also, poor handling of bareroot seedlings for outplanting
affected seriously the planting programme. This was clearly reflected
by the large-scale nortality of outplanted young seedlings reported
from many plantations. So far, no systanatic attempt has been made to
study the diseases affecting bamboos in nurseries, plantations and
natural stands in the country. Hence, the present investigation was
taken up to conduct a systematic study of the diseases affecting
bamboos in Kerala.
Description:
Division of forest pathology, Kerala forest research institute
Suma, T B; Dr.Balasundaran, M(Cochin University of Science And Technology, July , 2002)
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Abstract:
Loss of natural sandal populations due to illicit felling, forest encroachment and
spike disease have an adverse effect on genetic diversity of the species. To initiate
any genetic improvement programme in sandal, a precise understanding of the
population genetic diversity structure is essential. The concern over the loss of
genetic variability in sandal is particularly critical, as there is hardly any
information regarding the diversity status of the natural populations.
Identifying fast growing, disease resistant, oil rich sandal trees through
breeding and their mass multiplication for afforestation are the best method for
ensuring sustainable supply of superior sandalwood. The healthy sandal trees
existing in heavily spike diseased area can be used as a promising starting point for
any such breeding programme (Venkatesh, 1978). So far, no genetic information is
available regarding the resistant nature of spike disease evaded trees left in heavily
infected patches. The high rate of depletion of the superior trees in South Indian
sandal reserves due to illegal felling and spike disease has necessitated an urgent
need for conservation of the surviving trees.Widespread occurrence of spike disease in Marayoor forest reserve was reported in 1981 (Ghosh and Balasundaran, 1995). Because of the high density of trees and varying intensity of spike disease, Marayoor sandal population was found
to be ideal for experimental studies in sandal (Ghosh et al., 1985). Fifteen trees of
reserve 51 of Marayoor range had been selected as candidate plus trees for growth
and spike disease evasion . These trees have been selected for mass multiplication through tissue culture technique.
Description:
Department of environmental studies, Cochin University of Science And Technology
Suresh, P G; Dr.Mohandas, A(Cochin University of Science & Technology, 1990)
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Abstract:
The problem investigated is on the haematological aspects of two freshwater pulmonate snails, Indoplanorbis exustus (Deshayes),and Lymnaea acuminata f.rufescens (Gray). An important aspect of the present investigation is to emphasize the utilization of freshwater organisms as models for research directed at understanding the basic biomedical problems that remain unresolved. Another aspect is to demonstrate how haemolymph can be treated as a tissue because of late, it has been shown that several parameters of blood can be taken as reliable indicators for diagnostic purposes, and also to monitor environmental pollution. The various haematological parameters studied are total haemocyte number,packed cell volume, haemoglobin, and inorganic as well organic constituents in three size groups of both the snail species. The effect of copper toxicity was measured in terms of total haemocyte count, and the activity pattern of selected phosphatases and transaminases.The study concluded that enzyme activity levels can be taken as reliable indicators to monitor pollution. Age is a factor that determines several of the physiological, biochemical and metabolic activities. This study also indicates that haemolymph can be taken as an organ system to study the various changes taking place at organ systems levels.
Description:
School of Environmental Studies, Cochin University of Science and Technology
Reju, M K; Dr.Mohandas, A(Cochin University of Science & Technology, 1990)
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Abstract:
The present study is an attempt to understand the physiological responses of a freshwater gastropod, in terms of haematological parameters, in normal conditions as well as in various natural and man made altered conditions of the environment.Pila virens, a freshwater prosobranch,commonly found in paddy fields, ponds, and streams of Kerala is selected as the test animal for the present investigation. Various haemolymph constituents such as total carbohydrate, glycogen, total protein, total lipid, urea,ammonia,sodium,potasium, calcium, and chloride which are directly involved in the control and maintenance of different physiological systems, were analysed in the present study. Selected haematological parameters like total haemocyte number, and packed cell volume were also determined. Besides , the activity pattern of selected haemolymph enzymes such as acid phosphatase (ACP), alkaline phosphatase (ALP),Glutamate-oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT), and glutamate-pyruvate transaminase (GPT), all having diagnostic value in terms of internal defence system and metabolism of the organism, were also studied.
Description:
School of Environmental Studies,Cochin University of Science and Technology
Balachandran, M; Sivasankara Pillai,V N(Cochin University of Science and Technology, October , 2004)
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Abstract:
The current water treatment technology is oriented towards the removal of contaminants, mostly organic compounds, by activated carbon. Activated carbons are classified as Granular Activated Carbons (GAC) and Powdered Activated Carbons (PAC) on the basis of the particle size of the carbon granules. Powdered carbons are generally less expensive than granular carbon, operating costs with powdered carbon could be lower. Though powdered activated carbon has many advantages over granular carbon, its application in large-scale separation process is limited by difficulty in recovery and regeneration. Deposition of magnetic iron oxide on carbon particles provides a convenient way of recovering the spent carbon from process water. The study deals with the preparation and physico-chemical characterization of magnetic iron oxide loaded activated carbons. The evaluation of absorption properties of magnetic iron oxide loaded activated carbon composites. The target molecules studied were phenol, p-nitro phenol and methylene blue. The feasibility of magnetic separation of iron oxide loaded activated carbons were studied and described in this thesis.
Mohamed Ali, M I; Dr.Sharma, J K(Cochin University of Science And Technology, February , 1993)
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Abstract:
In forestry, availability of healthy seeds is an important
factor in raising planting stock. Initial seed health
and storage conditions are the major factors governing the
germinability of seeds. Like seeds of agricultural and horticultural
crops, forest tree seeds are also liable to be affected
by micro-organisms during storage, which affects the
germination, and reduces the viability. Further introduction
of seed-borne diseases into newly sown crops/areas on account
of using unhealthy seeds is also not ruled out. Availability
of healthy stock of seedlings is intrinsic for raising plantations
and to meet this requirement elimination of nursery
diseases by appropriate chemicals is of prime imortance. As
exotic tree species may become susceptible to various native
pathogens, it is generally considered better to select indigenous
tree species for large scale plantations as they are
well adapted to local environment. However, before taking up
large scale afforestation progranme involving any indigenous
tree species, it is essential to have knowledge about seed
disorders and seedling diseases and their management. with a
View to select appropriate tree species with fewer seed disorders
and seedling disease problems for use in further plantation
programme, four indigenous tree species such as Albizia
odoratissima (L.f) Benth., Lagerstroemia microcazpa Wt., Pterocazpus marsupiwn Roxb. and Xylia xylocarpa (Roxb.) Taub.
were evaluated to meet the above parameters
Description:
Department of environmental studies, Cochin University of Science And Technology
Manju, M R; Dr.Balakrishnan, K P(Cochin University of Science and Technology, September 25, 1991)
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Abstract:
The thesis embodies the results of a study on the variations in the parameters of productivity of two test species, a chlorophycean alga and a diatom. The chlorophycean alga Scenedesmus abundans was isolated from a fresh water pond whereas the diatom Nitzschia clausii was from the Cochin backwaters. Their growth parameters and their variations due to the effect
of addition of some heavy metals have been studied. The growth parameters include biomass, production, respiration, photosynthetic pigments and end products of photosynthesis. The cell numbers were estimated by using a haemocytometer and production and respiration by oxygen light and dark technique. Spectrophotometric analysis for pigments, anthrone method for carbohydrate and heated biuret method for protein were the different methods employed in the present investigation.
The present study is confined to nickel, cobalt, trivalent and hexavalent chromium. Different metals are discharged from various industries in and around Cochin. The effects of these metals individually and in combination are studied. Experiments to determine the effects of interaction of metals in combination enabled the assessment of the antagonistic and synergistic effect of metals on test species. The concentration or accumulation of metals on algae was determined by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry.
The thesis has been divided into seven chapters. The introductory chapter explains the relevance of the present investigation. Chapter two presents the review of literature based on the work in relation to toxicity. Third chapter gives a detailed description of the material and specialized methods followed for the study. The effects of various metals selected for study - nickel, cobalt, trivalent and hexavalent chromium on the qualitative and quantitative aspects of productivity forms the subject of matter of the fourth chapter. The fifth chapter gives the impact of metals in combination on two species of algae. A general discussion and summary are included in the sixth and seventh chapters
Description:
School of Environmental Studies,
Cochin University of Science and Technology
Shaganas, Banu B; Dr.Rajathy, Sivalingam(Cochin University of Science and Technology, October 8, 2007)
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Abstract:
This thesis Entitled studies on the effect of toxic heavy metal mercury on the physiology and biochemistry of an estuarine crab scylla serrata (Forskal). Evaluate the toxicity of three sub lethal concentrations of mercury, viz., 0.009 mg/l, 0.02 mg/1, and 0.04 mg/l on the mud crab, Scylla serrata through bioaccumulation, and depuration studies. To characterize the biochemical responses to the sub-lethal stress of mercury in chelate muscles, abdominal muscles, hepatopancreas and gills. To study the activity pattern of acid and alkaline phosphatases in mercury-exposed crabs. To evaluate the induced changes in these tissues through histopathological studies,The Cochin backwaters is one of the most productive and biologically active backwater systems, and is the habitat of varieties of fishes, mollusks, and crustaceans, though this water body also receives tons of effluents from factories located on the banks of the river, Periyar.To study the activity levels of acid and alkaline phosphatases in crabs, at three time periods, exposed to three sub lethal concentration of mercury,
Description:
School of Environmental Studies, Cochin University of
Science and Technology
Rajalekshmi Amma, P; Dr.Mohandas, A(Cochin University of Science And Technology, 1992)
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Abstract:
Industrialisation affects air, water, and soil. Industrial
effluents which enter the aquatic environment either by direct
disposal or through run off, affect living organisms at
morphological and physiological levels. In any living tissue
toxic materials exert their effects first at molecular and
biochemical levels (Robbins and Angell, 1976). Most of the
industrial effluents contain elevated concentrations of organic
and inorganic chemicals capable of eliciting stimulatory or
inhibitory effects on the metabolism of aquatic organisms.
Heavy metals form an important group of environmental
pollutants. Effects of pollution on the aquatic environment by
heavy metals have received considerable attention in recent years
due to their toxicity even at very low levels, persistence in the
environment, and chances of getting biomagnified. A pollutant
that does not affect a particular process under normal unstressed
condition may affect the ability of the animal to adjust to
changing environmental conditions which ultimately decrease its
chances of survival (Thurberg et al., 1973
Description:
School of Environmental Studies, Cochin University of Science And Technology
Subha, Vishnudas; Dr.Abdul Azis, P K(Cochin University of Science And Technology, 2006)
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Abstract:
Soil erosion is more detrimental and affects the chemical, physical and biological
properties of the soil. Degradation of soil and water resources is a worldwide problem. Over the next two decades, it is expected that the world will need 17% more water to grow food for the increasing population in developing countries and that total water use will increase by 40%. The total land area subjected to human-induced soil degradation is estimated as 20 x 106 (km)2 Hence conservation of soil and water is essential for the subsistence of life. This can be made possible through sustainable watershed management. This thesis aims at investigating the condition under which sustainable watershed management is possible in Kerala, in South India. The research has been carried out in three stages. In the first stage a conceptual framework is formulated (Chapter 3) based on the relevant literature (Chapter 2) in the field of watershed management. In the second stage this framework is applied to two existing case studies in Kerala State (Chapter 4).
In the third stage, the methodology is used to test out geo textile innovation (Chapter 5) in two field experiments (Chapter 6).
Description:
Department of environmental studies, Cochin University of Science And Technology