Abesh, Reghuvaran; Dr. Anita Das, Ravindranath(Cochin University of Science And Technology, April , 2013)
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Abstract:
In this study, a novel improved technology could be developed to convert
the recalcitrant coir pith into environmental friendly organic manure. The standard
method of composting involves the substitution of urea with nitrogen fixing
bacteria viz. Azotobacter vinelandii and Azospirillum brasilense leading to the
development of an improved method of coir pith. The combined action of the
microorganisms could enhance the biodegradation of coir pith. In the present study,
Pleurotus sajor caju, an edible mushroom which has the ability to degrade coir
pith, and the addition of nitrogen fixing bacteria like Azotobacter vinelandii and
Azospirillum brasilense could accelerate the action of the fungi on coir pith. The
use of these microorganisms brings about definite changes in the NPK, Ammonia,
Organic Carbon and Lignin contents in coir pith. This study will encourage the use
of biodegraded coir pith as organic manure for agri/horti purpose to get better
yields and can serve as a better technology to solve the problem of accumulated
coir pith in coir based industries
Description:
School of Environmental Studies, Cochin University of Science & Technology
Arun Augustine; Dr. Valsamma Joseph(Cochin University of Science and Technology, April 10, 2015)
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Abstract:
Fatty acids are the basic building blocks fats and lipids are made of. Fatty
acids found in foods and fats stored in the body are mainly in the form oftriacylglycerols (TAGs), a glycerol molecule backbone to which three (termed sn-1;
sn-2 and sn-3), often different, fatty acids are attached Figure 1-1 (A). Fatty acids are
made up of a backbone of carbon atoms, with a carboxyl group (COOH) at one end
[the delta (Δ) end] and a methyl group (CH3) at another end [the omega (ω) or n-end]
(Figure 1-1 (B). Hydrogen atoms are joined to the sequence of carbon atoms, forming
a hydrocarbon chain. Carbon chain length and presence and absence of a double bond
between the carbon atoms influence the characteristics of a fatty acid such as melting
point and digestibility. Based on the bonding nature, they are divided into saturated
fatty acid (SFA)- carbons in the fatty acid chain are linked by single bonds;
monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA)- only one double bond present in fatty acid
chain and polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) more than one double bond present in
the fatty acid chain
Divya, Jose; Dr.Mohandas, A; Dr.Bright Singh,I S(Cochin University of Science & Technology, November , 2011)
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Abstract:
In the present study,heterotrophic protease producing bacterial isolates were screened for protease activity and a potent protease producing bacterial isolate was selected,identified and coded as Pseudomonas aeruginosa MCCB 123.The organism was capable of producing three different types of enzymes each having potential industrial applications.The non-toxic nature of the bacterial strain and the relatively non-toxic nature of three enzymes suggested their poetential application in various industries.Application of LasA protease and beta-1,3 glucanase in DNA extraction is a promising area for commercial utilization. LasB protease can find its potential application in detergent and tanning industries.As on today Bacillus sp.has been the source of commercial proteases,and the ones produced form P.aeruginosa 123 can pave way for making the industrial and biomedical processes more cost effective and refined.
Description:
National Centre for Aquatic Health,Cochin University of Science and Technology
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