Dipson, P T; Dr.Harindranathan Nair, M V(Cochin University Of Science And Technology, November , 2012)
[+]
[-]
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
Surekhamol, I S; Dr.Bright Singh,I S(Cochin University of Science and Technology, November , 2012)
[+]
[-]
Abstract:
Aquaculture is a global industry providing food and employment thereby contributing to the economy. For the sustenance of aquaculture, disease management is a major requirement. Among the bacterial pathogens Vibrio harveyi remains to be the major one especially in shrimp culture systems. Rapid
and mass mortality of shrimp larvae due to Vibrio harveyi infection is well known, and the pathogen causes serious economic losses in grow out systems as well. It suggests that a well defined management strategy has to be built up to protect the crop from Vibrio harveyi infection in aquaculture systems. Antibiotics have been the choice for quite some times which led to residues in meat and development of multidrug resistant bacteria which invited ban on their application. In this context several alternate options have been thought off such as probiotics, immunostimulants and vaccines. Phage therapy is yet another option. Phages being natural parasites of bacteria and are abundant in aquatic environments their application to control bacterial pathogens in aquaculture has commendable potential in lieu of antibiotics. For that matter the therapeutic effect of phages has been proven in several antibiotic resistant pathogens inclusive of Vibrio harveyi.
Description:
National Centre for Aquatic Animal
Health, School of Environmental Studies, Cochin University of Science and Technology
Haseeb, M; Dr.Bright Singh,I S(Cochin University Of Science And Technology, November , 2012)
[+]
[-]
Abstract:
Aquaculture is one of the fastest growing food sectors in the world.
Amongst the various branches of aquaculture, shrimp culture has expanded
rapidly across the globe because of its faster growth rate, short culture period,
high export value and demand in the International market. Indian shrimp
farming has experienced phenomenal development over the decades due to its
excellent commercial viability. Farmers have adopted a number of innovative
technologies to improve the production and to maximize the returns per unit
area. The culture methods adopted can be classified in to extensive, modified
extensive and semi intensive based on the management strategies adopted in
terms of pond size, stocking density, feeding and environmental control. In all
these systems water exchanges through the natural tidal effects, or pump fed
either from creek or from estuaries is a common practice. In all the cases, the
systems are prone to epizootics due to the pathogen introduction through the
incoming water, either brought by vectors, reservoir hosts, infected tissue
debris and free pathogens themselves. In this scenario, measures to prevent the
introduction of pathogen have become a necessity to protect the crop from the
onslaught of diseases as well as to prevent the discharge of waste water in to
the culture environment.The present thesis deals with Standardization of bioremediation technology for zero water exchange shrimp culture system
Description:
School of Environmental Studies,Cochin University of Science and Technology
Sunitha, Poulose; Dr.Bright Singh, I S(Cochin University of Science And Technology, February , 2013)
[+]
[-]
Abstract:
Marine yeast have been regarded as safe and showing a beneficial
impact on biotechnological process. It provides better nutritional and
dietary values indicating their potential application as feed supplements in
aquaculture. Brown et al. (1996) evaluated all the marine yeasts
characterised with high protein content, carbohydrate, good amino acid
composition and high levels of saturated fats. However, there is paucity of
information on marine yeasts as feed supplements and no feed formulation
has been found either in literature or in market supplemented with them.
This statement supported by Zhenming et al. (2006) reported still a lack of
feed composed of single cell protein (SCP) from marine yeasts with high
content of protein and other nutrients. Recent research has shown that
marine yeasts also have highly potential uses in food, feed, medical and
biofuel industries as well as marine biotechnology (Chi et al., 2009; 2010).
Sajeevan et al. (2006; 2009a) and Sarlin and Philip (2011) demonstrates
that the marine yeasts Candida sake served as a high quality, inexpensive
nutrient source and it had proven immunostimulatory properties for
cultured shrimps. This strain has been made part of the culture collection of
National Centre for Aquatic Animal Health, Cochin University of Science
and Technology as Candida MCCF 101. Over the years marine yeasts have
been gaining increased attention in animal feed industry due to their
nutritional value and immune boosting property.Therefore, the present study was undertaken, and focused on the
nutritional quality, optimization of large scale production and evaluation of
its protective effect on Koi carp from Aeromonas infection
Description:
National Centre for Aquatic Animal Health
School of Environmental Studies
Cochin University of Science and Technology
Abesh, Reghuvaran; Dr. Anita Das, Ravindranath(Cochin University of Science And Technology, April , 2013)
[+]
[-]
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
Aneesh Kumar, K.V.; Dr.Meenakumari,B; Dr Remesan, M. P(Cochin University of Science And Technology, November , 2013)
[+]
[-]
Abstract:
The main objectives of the present study have been
studies on the operational performance of tuna longline in
Lakshadweep Sea
studies on the efficiency of hooks in the longline operation
studies on the efficiency of baits in the longline operation
studies on bycatch in longline operation
studies on predation on the longline catch and the hook loss
encountered during the fishing operation
Description:
Fishing Technology Division
Central Institute of Fisheries Technology
CIFT Junction, P. O. Matsyapuri
(Indian Council of Agricultural Research)
Magesh, G; Dr. Menon, A R R(Cochin University of Science And Technology, February 12, 2014)
[+]
[-]
Abstract:
mbikulam Tiger Reserve of Western Ghats using Geospatial technology. The major objectives of the study are Land use land cover mapping (LULC) and Phytodiversity analysis. Satellite data was used to map the land use / land cover using supervised classification techniques in Erdas imagine. The change for a period of 32 years was assessed using the multi-temporal satellite datasets from Landsat MSS (1973), Landsat TM (1990), and IRS P6 LISS III (2005). A geospatial approach was used for the land cover analysis. Digital elevation models, Satellite imageries and SOI topo sheets were the data sets used in the analysis. Vegetation sampling plots distributed over the different forest types were enumerated and studied for Phytodiversity analysis.
Description:
Dept. of GIS & Remote Sensing.
Forest Management and Information System Division,Kerala Forest Research Institute
Gopinath, Prem; Dr.Bright Singh, I S(Cochin University of Science & Technology, March , 2014)
[+]
[-]
Abstract:
The present study was initiated when several massive outbreaks of Chikungunya, Dengue and Japanese Encephalitis were frequently reported across the State of Kerala. Multiple symptoms persisted among the affected individuals and the public health officials were in search of aetiological agents responsible for the out breaks and, other than clinical samples no resources were available. In this context, a study was undertaken to focus on mosquito larvae to investigate the viruses borne by them which remain silently prevalent in the environment. The study was not a group specific investigation limited to either arbovirus or enterovirus, but had a broad spectrum approach. The study encompassed the viral pathogens that could be isolated, their impact when passaged through cell lines, growth kinetics, titer of the working stocks in specific cell line, the structure by means of transmission electron microscopy(TEM), the one step growth and molecular characterization using molecular tools.
Anil, Loveson; Rajathy, Sivalingam(Cochin University of Science And Technology, August , 2014)
[+]
[-]
Abstract:
One of the objectives of the current investigation was to evaluate the effectiveness of Spirodela polyrhiza to remove heavy metals and other contaminants from the water samples collected from wetland sites of Eloor and Kannamaly under controlled conditions .The results obtained from the current study suggest that the test material S. polyrrhiza should be used in the biomonitoring and phytoremediation of municipal, agricultural and industrial effluents because of their simplicity, sensitivity and cost-effectiveness. The study throws light on the potential of this plant which can be used as an assessment tool in two diverse wetland in Ernakulum district. The results show the usefulness of combining physicochemical analysis with bioassays as such approach ensures better understanding of the toxicity of chemical pollutants and their influence on plant health. The results shows the suitability of Spirodela plant for surface water quality assessment as all selected parameters showed consistency with respect to water samples collected over a 3-monitoring periods. Similarly the relationship between the change in exposure period (2, 4 and 8 days) with the parameters were also studied in detail. Spirodela are consistent test material as they are homogeneous plant material; due to predominantly vegetative reproduction. New fronds are formed by clonal propagation thus, producing a population of genetically homogeneous plants. The result is small variability between treated individuals. It has been observed that phytoremediation of water samples collected from Eloor and Kannamaly using the floating plant system is a predominant method which is economic to construct, requires little maintenance and eco friendly.
Sareen Sarah, John; Reed, Robert H.; Bright Singh, I S(Cochin University Of Science And Technology, December , 2014)
[+]
[-]
Abstract:
A study was undertaken to isolate phytase producers from
environment and to segregate the most highly efficient phytase producer and to
develop a bioprocess technology for commercial application. During this
process, a potential phytase producer Bacillus MCCB 242 was isolated and
characterized phenotypically and genotypically. Subsequently, phytase production
was optimized, the enzyme purified and characterized and an appropriate
downstream process also could be standardized.Precisely, through this work an environmental isolate Bacillus MCCB 242 could be brought out as phytase producer for commercial application. The enzyme production could be optimized and characterized, and an appropriate
downstream process standardized. Cytotoxicity studies revealed the enzyme
safe for feed application, especially in fish.
Arun Augustine; Dr. Valsamma Joseph(Cochin University of Science and Technology, April 10, 2015)
[+]
[-]
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
Smitha, Sebastian; Ammini, Joseph(Cochin University Of Science And Technology, May , 2015)
[+]
[-]
Abstract:
The present work is the study of filamentous algae in the paddy fields of Kuttanad and Kole lands of Kerala. This investigation was initiated by sampling of filamentous algae in Kuttanad during December 2010 to February 2011. A second phase of sampling was done from November 2011 to February 2012. The sampling
periodicity corresponded to the crop growth starting from field preparation through sowing, and continued till the harvest. Sampling locations were selected from the active paddy cultivation regions of the six agronomic zones of Kuttanad. The numbers of sampling locations were proportional to the area of each zone. Algae of the Kole lands were collected during from October 2011 to January 2012. It was observed that blue-green algae dominated in both Kuttanad and Kole lands. Thirty two species of blue-green algae and eight species of green algae were identified from Kuttanad. The highest number of algal species was observed from Kayal lands in Kuttanad throughout the cropping season. Among the thirty two species of blue-green algae twenty five species are nonheterocystous and seven species are heterocystous. Twenty eight species of blue-green and six species of green algae were identified from Kole lands, and highest number of species was observed in Palakkal throughout the cropping season. Among the twenty eight species of blue-green algae collected from Kole lands twenty one species are non-heterocystous, and only seven species are heterocystous filamentous algae. Blooms of Spirogyra were observed during the second phase of sampling in Kuttanad and also in the Kole lands. The results of the germination study revealed that the extract of Spirogyra sp. inhibited seed germination and reduced seedling vigour. The growth of the treated seedlings was evaluated by pot experiments. The results clearly showed that Spirogyra sp. can negatively affect the seed germination, seedling vigour, and the yield of rice.
Anju, S. G; Dr. Suguna Yesodharan(Cochin University of Science and Technology, November , 2015)
[+]
[-]
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.
Sreejeesh, K K; Dr. Thomas P Thomas(Cochin University of Science and Technology, January 5, 2016)
[+]
[-]
Abstract:
Carbon storage potential of teak plantation was estimated by studying plantations in
Nilambur undergoing prescribed thinning schedules. Nilambur in Kerala State has
the reputation of establishing the first teak plantation in India. The area has a
humid tropical climate with around 300 cm annual rainfall received from the two
monsoons. The soil is well drained coarse textured oxisol with high content of
sesquioxides. An average teak tree at Nilambur was found to attain a height of 6.93
m and dbh of 6.3 cm at 5 year which was seen to increase to 22.83 m and 45.85 cm,
respectively at the final felling stage of 50 years. Biomass was found to increase from
65.38 kg tree-1 at the first stage to 1085.70 kg tree-1 at the final stage of felling.
Significant increase in growth and biomass production was noted after 30th year of
plantation.Carbon sequestration in various compartments of teak followed the pattern bole >
branch > root > bark in the initial stages and bole > root > branch > bark in the
latter stages. Carbon sequestration increased with age and at 50 years 332.88 kg tree-
1 carbon was found to be stored in bole, 60.63 in branch, 80.06 in root and 26.57 kg
tree-1 in bark compartment giving a total of 508.14 kg tree-1 of carbon.Allometric models to predict carbon sequestration with height and dbh as
independent variable and carbon sequestered as dependent variable were tested to
obtain the best fit model. The best regression model for predicting carbon sequestered
in the bole compartment was √Y = 1.502 + 0.344 D, that for bark √Y = 1.163 + 0.082
D, for branch ln Y =1.308 lnD-1.116, for root √Y = 0.858 + 0.170 D, for above ground
compartment √Y = 2.113 + 0.379 D and that for predicting the total carbon
sequestered in the teak in all its vegetative parts was √Y = 2.289 + 0.415 D.
Carbon sequestration potential of teak plantations in Kerala was calculated based on
the estimated carbon sequestration at prescribed felling stages and the area
prescribed for felling in 2014. The calculated figure was 0.21 million tons of carbon
which was equivalent to Certified Emission Reduction (CER) potential of 0.81
million units corresponding to 61.48 crores of rupees at current exchange rates