RESEARCH IN ENVIRONMENT AND
LIFE SCIENCES
Volume-4, Number-4, November-2011
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31. |
Res. Environ. Life Sci., 4(4) 137-140 (2011) The habits of the African
lungfish, Protopterus annectens
in laboratory aquaria A.I. Okafor Department of Zoology, *e-mail: tconnection68@yahoo.com (Received: January 16, 2011; Revised:
Received: August 28, 2011; Accepted: September 04, 2011)) |
Abstract: The African lungfish, Protopterus
annectens
is a quiet, nocturnal and slow moving fish while in aquaria. However it is
capable of making fast movements when provoked or alarmed. Then it makes a
croaking noise as the pelvic, anal and caudal fins are folded tight against
the body,while the
pectoral fins are fluttered. The fish has the habit of lying calmly at the
bottom of an aquarium usually in a coiled form like the letter u, c, I, v, s,
n or p. However, from to time, if the water level is high, the lungfish swims
to the surface of the water in the aquarium to bring out its head and open
the mouth wide to breathe atmospheric air before sinking to its preferred
abode at the bottom of the aquarium. But if the water level is reduced, the
stress of rising to the water surface is correspondingly reduced, but since
the fish, is an obligate air breather it must continue to periodically bring
its head out ofthe water in order to breathe air
via the mouth and nostrils. Consequently, the level of water required for
keeping the fish for long in aquaria should be quite low, to a level slightly
below the nostrils. There is a direct linear relationship between the rate of
mortality and volume of water in the aquaria (r = 0.9496) and also between
this frequency of mouth breathing and water temperature r = 0.9376. The fish
is capable of surviving several stressful environmental circumstances such as
prolonged starvation, provided the water is renewed regularly and they are
not crowded. There are no signs of courtship behaviour
in an aquarium Key words: Laboratory aquaria, African
lungfish |
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32. |
Res. Environ. Life Sci., 4(4) 141 -148 (2011) Aerobic and anaerobic treatment of paper industry wastewater N. Kumara Swamy1,
3, Pratibha
Singh2* and Indira P. Sarethy1 1Department of Biotechnology, Jaypee
Institute of Information Technology, Noida-210301, India 2Department of Chemistry, JSS Academy of Technical Education,
Noida-210301, India 3Department of Chemistry, Sri Jayachamarajendra
College of Engineering, Mysore-570006, India *e-mail: pratibha_env@rediffmail.com (Received: April 05, 2011; Revised received: September 22,
2011;Accepted: September 26, 2011) |
Abstract: Pulp and paper mills use a variety of
bio-resources to produce paper and generate a huge amount of dark colored
wastewater that exhibit harmful effects on the soil and water bodies. The
treatment of such wastewaters for removal of color and harmful pollutants is
necessary prior to disposal. The different physicochemical treatment
techniques such as coagulation, chemical oxidation, ozonation,
etc are widely used for treatment of paper industry wastewater. However,
these technologies are not clean and cost effective. On the other hand, the biological
treatment techniques such as aerobic and anaerobic treatment have been prove
to be clean, environmental friendly and in some ways superior than the
physicochemical techniques. In this paper, the characteristics of paper
industry wastewater and the present state of its bioremediation by different
aerobic and anaerobic treatment techniques is reviewed and discussed. It is
observed that the aerobic and anaerobic treatment techniques are useful for
reduction of color and other pollutants from paper industry wastewater.
Further, the review concludes that the combinations of anaerobic and aerobic
treatment processes are found to be efficient in the removal of soluble
biodegradable organic pollutants. Key words: Aerobic
treatment, Anaerobic treatment, Wastewater |
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33. |
Res. Environ. Life Sci., 4(4) 149-152 (2011) Life history of the earwig Forficula auricularia
(Order: Dermaptera) in Arak
city A. Shayestehfar*
and M. Mahdieh Biology Department, Faculty of Science,
University of Arak -38156-8-7349, Iran *e-mail: a-shayestehfar@araku.ac.ir (Received: June 23, 2011; Revised
received: October 04, 2011; Accepted: October 05, 2011) |
Abstract: The
common earwig Forficula auricularia (Order: Dermaptera),
was identified and studied biologically according to the taxonomic keys. In
field surveys in summer 2008, earwigs individually and separately were found
inside the garden between leaves and flowers and soil, under rocks and pots.
Almost at the end of the year in September 2008 males’ tendency to females
increased, often under the garden stones and other secure areas males and
females in a group were observed. It seems after leaving the group they live
in pairs, because the presence of them was recorded in October and November
2008 in pairs and often separately from group. In late January 2009 it was
observed that female earwigs have pasted their eggs to the roots of
honeysuckle plants (Lonicera caprifolium) and they were resting and taking care of
them in depth of 90 to 185 cm, male earwigs at this time were not observed.
Eggs hatch with relatively air warming (18 ° C) in the middle of April 2009
began gradually, by decreasing soil moisture and biological temperature
increase, nymphs growth would accelerate. At the end of third week the number
of dead female earwigs dramatically increased in the environment. Some of
dead female earwigs were eaten by their children. At the beginning of June
2009 a number of young male and female earwigs (F2 generation) were collected
and studied in laboratory conditions. Observations showed that the second
generation has no morphological difference with their parents. At this stage,
the only remarkable point was the special stink like gasoil that was being
produced by this group of earwigs. From mid June 2009 gradually young earwigs
separated from the group and went away. At this stage of life, no sign was
recorded to show their tendency to opposite sex. Laboratorial studies at
aquarium environment showed that earwigs had good mobility, and were fed
until the end of June 2009 as the year continued to live separately, but in
any case didn’t mate, didn’t lay and didn’t produce a new generation. Key words: Life
history, Earwig (Forficula auricularia),
Arak city, Honeysuckle (Lonicera
caprifolium) |
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34. |
Res. Environ. Life Sci., 4(4) 153-158 (2011) Zinc removed by microbial
process - A viable countermeasure for inorganic pollution Jankidevi, V.1*, Umarani, R.2, Yokeshbabu, M.1, Nagarani,
N.1, Kumaraguru, A.K1 1Department of Marine & Coastal Studies,Madurai Kamaraj
University, Maduari-625021.Tamilnadu-India. 2 Faculty of Zoology,Devanga
Arts College, Aruppukottai, Tamilnadu-India. *e-mail: microjanu@yahoo.co.in (Received: April 15, 2011; Revised received: October 15,
2011; Accepted: October 18, 2011) |
Abstract: Six species of zinc absorbing bacteria were
isolated from a pond nearby are electroplating industry and identified based
on biochemical and physiological methods. They were three species of Aeromonas noted as A, E and F and one species of
each Micrococcus (B), Staphylococcus (C) and Bacillus (D).
The absorption capacities of the organisms were determined in different
concentrations of ZnSO4 after 96 hr
period. The highest absorption or removal percentages of Zn from 5 ppm were achieved by the isolates B and Fi.e.,
72.12 and 67.16% respectively. In the 5 ppm
concentration the effect of physical parameters were also determined. In pH 6
the B and E strains gave good results i.e., more than 150 %.
Temperature 37 oC, aeration and agitation also improved the zinc
absorption. when the organisms were immobilized and introduced in to
electroplating effluent, B and F strains gave high-level (70% and 75%) of
zinc removal andother strains removed <60%.
Compared to free cells, immobilized cells showed greater ability to remove
zinc from the industrial effluent. Key words: Zinc
removal, Industrial effluent, Bacteria, Immobilization |
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35. |
Res. Environ. Life Sci., 4(4) 159-162 (2011) Efficacy of Bauhinia variegata
on acetaminophen induced hepatotoxicty P. Suganya
devi and M. Chitra Department of Biochemistry,
S.T.E.T Women’s College, Mannargudi, Tamil Nadu -
614 001, India *e-mail: mschitra21@yahoo.com (Received: June 05, 2011; Revised received: October 11, 2011;
Accepted: October 12, 2011) |
Abstract: Bauhinia
variegata Linn (Kanchnar)
is widely used medicinal plant in Ayurvedha, unani and Homoeopathy as tonic to the liver.Hepatoprotective
activity of the Bauhinia variegata bark
extract against acetaminophen induced toxicity was investigated in this
study, and silymarin is used as positive control.Bauhinia variegata
(SBE) 500mg/kg was administered orally to albino mice and the biochemical
parameters of AST, ALT, ALP, GGT, Bilirubin, were
assessed. The biochemical observations were supplemented by histopathological examination of liver sections.The results of the investigation reported that Bauhinia
variegata is a promising hepatoprotective
agent against acetaminophen induced hepato toxicity Key words: Bauhinia
variegata, Acetaminophen, Liver toxicity |
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36. |
Res. Environ. Life Sci., 4(4) 163 -168 (2011) Estimation of potable ground
water reasonability by Cationanion balance error
method S.B.Basavaraddi1
, Hina Kousar1 and E.T. Puttaiah2
1Department of Environmental Science, Kuvempu
University Shankagatta - 577 451,
Karnataka, India 2Environmental Science and Vice Chancellor, GulbargaUniversity, Gulbarga - 585 106, Karnataka.India. *e-mail: ronsubhasbasavaraddi@rediffmail.com
(Received: June02, 2011; Revised received:October
03, 2011; Accepted: October 04, 2011) |
Abstract: Ground water is composed of many inorganic and
organic constituents. Compared to inorganic constituents; organic
constituents are less in ground water. Potable ground water contains
inorganic substance or matter in natural conditions. But due to flow of
industrial effluents, domestic wastes and human activities, ground water
often gets polluted. The chemical composition for certain water is according
to what type of rocks was in contact with .The presence of inorganic
components in lower/higher concentration that must be treated as
pollutants and analyzed from point of view of their effect and life quality
.Water quality analysis reveals that change in its taste and odor is due to
change of pH. This paper signifies fundamental property of aqueous solution
about some metal that might be present in the water to produce low pH in the
system. The calculation of cation–anion
concentration balance were made by ground water quality analysis of tiptur town and surrounding areas, considering only
“dissolved” constituents for its reasonable charge balance. Key words: Ground water quality,
Inorganic-Organic constituents,Cat ion-anion,
Reasonability, Balance error |
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37. |
Res. Environ. Life Sci., 4(4) 169 -176 (2011) Steady viscous flow through a channel with wavy and plane walls Akhilesh Tripathi Department of Mathematics,
Isabella Thoburn College, Lucknow-226 007, India *e-mail: nivelesh@radiffmail.com (Received: April21, 2011;
Revised received: October 25, 2011; Accepted: November 01, 2011) |
Abstract: In this
paper we consider the steady flow of a Newtonian viscous fluid through a
rectilinear infinitely long channelbounded by two
plates, one is plane and other is sinusoidally
varying, separated by a mean distance h. The amplitudeof
waviness is taken small so that we may neglect theand
higher order terms to obtain the governing equation of fluid flow and flow characteristics.For the non-varying channel, the
classical parabolic velocity profile for the fully developed flow is well
known. On introducing waviness in the plane wall of the channel, the problem
gets complicated. In addition to the axial velocity, transverse velocity also
comes into play. An attempt here is made to analyze the flow in a generalized
non-orthogonal coordinate system that renders the wavy channels as plane
walls. Continuity equation and Navier-Stokes
equations are presented in the generalized coordinate system and simplified
through use of small perturbation under small Reynolds number approximation.
Flow characteristics such as centerline velocity have been evaluated and
discussed. Key words:
Wavy
Channel, Navier-Stoke equations, Small Reynolds
Number, Perturbation, Drag |
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38. |
Res. Environ. Life Sci., 4(4) 177-180 (2011) Impact of urbanization on water resource
management and land use pattern of Lucknow Urban Centre, India Shashank Shekhar Mishra* andAjai Mishra Centre of Advanced Study in Geology, University of Lucknow,
Lucknow – 226007, India * email:
enviroshashank@rediffmail.com (Received: June 25, 2011; Revised
received: November 10, 2011; Accepted: November 12, 2011) |
Abstract: The present study is an attempt to examine the
urbanization impact on water resources and its possible management. The
Central part of Indo- Gangetic basin, Lucknow is
geographically located at 260 30’ to 270
10’ N latitude and 800 34’ to 810 12’
E longitude is selected for the study.Sampling was
performed at 20 different locations of municipal water supply in June 2010
and 2011 to cover the entire city including areas connected with the
filtration plants and other areas where direct or indirect ground water
supply is practiced. These samples were analyzed for various parameters to
know the physico-chemical, heavy metal and
bacteriological properties. The escalated demand has led to the
overexploitation of ground as well as surface water in the entire region. The
domestic water supply in Lucknow urban area depends on the Gomati River and
ground water. The Lucknow urban centre shows a continuous escalation since
1931. The population of Lucknow in 1901 was 2, 56,239 which becomes 3037718
in 2011. The land use pattern in Lucknow urban area shows unprecedented
changes. The urban area in Lucknow city has been increased (just double) from
1987 to 2009. Key words: Urbanization,
Land use, water resource, river, population |
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39. |
Res. Environ. Life Sci., 4(4) 181-184 (2011) Quantifying the effects of
exposure to indoor pollution from biomass fuel combustion on respiratory
health of Indian rural women Aakanksha*1,2, Ratna Katiyar1 and S.K.Rastogi2 1Department of Botany, Lucknow University,
Lucknow- 226 007, India 2Ex. Emeritus Scientist,
I.I.T.R., Lucknow-226 001, India *e-mail: aakankshashanker@gmail.com (Received: June 12, 2011; Revised
received: November 11, 2011; Accepted: November 14, 2011) |
Abstract: A clinico-experimental
study was undertaken in a nearby village, about 13 km from Lucknow city. The
study included 150 rural women in the age group of 13 to 65 years who were
involved in domestic cooking with biomass fuels such as fire wood, cow dung
cakes, coal and kerosene oil etc. The study was performed to evaluate the
health effects of the toxic substances like carbon monoxide, oxides of sulphur and nitrogen (CO, SO2, NOX)
emitted during combustion of bio fuels at the time of cooking and the results
were compared with those observed in the women using Liquid Petroleum Gas ( LPG).An overall prevalence of 17.3 % of respiratory
morbidity in the rural women engaged in domestic cooking with biomass fuels
was observed in comparison to 6.9 % noted in the LPG using women. The maximum
prevalence of respiratory complaints was recorded among the women who used
the fire wood and cow dung together (24.4%). The chief respiratory complaint
noted in the women following exposure to domestic smoke pollution was dry
irritating cough associated with impaired pulmonary function values
suggesting obstructive ventilatory abnormality.
Besides high respiratory morbidity, the rural women also exhibited high
prevalence of ocular symptoms (23.3%) on exposure to bio fuels particularly
in those who used a combination of firewood and cow dung cakes. The
predominant ocular symptoms recorded were irritation of the eyes, lacrimation, reddening and pain in the eyes.The study revealed that the rural women exposed to
domestic smoke pollution resulting from burning of coal and other bio fuels
are at a greater risk of developing respiratory and ocular morbidity
accompanied by obstructive changes in the lungs as compared to the women
using LPG. Key words: Biomass
fuel, indoor pollution, domestic cooking, rural women. |
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40. |
Res. Environ. Life Sci., 4(4) 185-187 (2011) Gender based mathematical modeling for
sustainable development of common people Akhilesh Tripathi Department of Mathematics, Isabella Thoburn
College, Lucknow e-mail: nivelesh@rediffmail.com (Received: May 15, 2011;
Revised received: November 15, 2011; Accepted: November 17, 2011) |
Abstract: This paper is based upon the assumption that the
sustainable development of an individual is not totally independent but
mutual also and requires a sound balance among the interactions designed to
create a healthy economic growth, preserve environmental quality, make wise
use of resources, and enhance social benefits. In this paper we attempt to
prepare a gender based mathematical model, which describes the relationship
between various parameters involved in determining sustainable development of
common people residing in a particular region (say ), e.g. Health, income,
Employment, Education, human rights, population pressure, Gender balance,
Social religious, Environmental problems etc. The mathematics involved in the
paper is traditional but application appears to be new. Key words: Sustainable
development, Health, income, Employment, Education, human rights, population
pressure, Gender balance, Social, Religious, Environmental problems |
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Exclusively Online Res. Environ. Life Sci., 4(4) 188-190 (2011) Effect of fertilization with N, P and K on
growth, flowering and seed yield in African marigold Rajesh Kumar Pandey and Shahid Ahamad* 1Division of Vegetable Science and
Floriculture, FOA, Main Campus, Chatha 2Krishi Vigyan Kendra, R.S.Pura,
Jammu, Sher-e-
Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology ofJammu (J&K), India-180009 *e-mail: drp12@rediffmail.com (Received: May 18, 2011; Revised received: November 16, 2011;
Accepted: November 19, 2011) |
Abstract:
Influence of African marigold to
nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium under Jammu conditions. It was observed
that with increasing doses of nitrogen (g/m2), there was increase
in plant height, number of flowers per plant, flower yield per plant, flower
size and seed yield per plant. At N=20g/m2 these parameters
depicted values which were significantly more than those at control (N0)
and N=10 g/m2. The independent effects of potassium indicated that increasing
dose of potassium also resulted in increased plant height, flower per plant,
flower yield per plant, flower size and seed yield per plant. At K2=10
g/m2 dose these parameters were significantly superior to those at
K0= 0 g/m2 and K1=5 g/m2 .The
observations on the effect of different doses of phosphorus on seed yield and
yield contributing characters indicated that at P2(P=20g/m2)
there was significant increase in plant height, flower per plant, flower
yield per plant , flower size and seed yield per plant in comparison to
corresponding values at P0 =0 g/m2 and P1=10g/m2.The
higher level of N, P & K resulted in the increase in vegetative, floral
characters and seed yield. An application of 20 g N, 20 g P2O5
and 10 g K2O/m2 gave higher yield contributing
traits and seed yield. Key words: African marigold, N, P and K, Flowering,
Seed yield |
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42. |
Exclusively Online Res. Environ. Life Sci., 4(4) 191-194 (2011) Effect of salinity stress on pigments in soybean (Glycine max L.) Naheed Siddiqui* and M. Singh Department of Botany, University of Lucknow, Lucknow - 226007,
India *e-mail: naheedsiddiqui_2004@yahoo.co.in (Received: November 02, 2011; Revised received: November 26,
2011; Accepted: November 29, 2011) |
Abstract: The first domestication of soybean has been traced to the
eastern half of North China in the eleventh century B.C. The Europeans
had been aware of soybeans as early as 1712 as evident by writing of a German
botanist. The values of chlorophyll concentration
found various varieties of soybean have shown gradual loss in retaining
photosynthetic pigment i.e., chlorophyll. The loss in photosynthetic pigment
is correlated with salinity levels and durations. About 5% chlorophyll was
found down-regulated in PS-1241 after 15 days of salinity, which could reach
about 15% incase salinity treatments continued till 60 days. The values of carotenoids have shown down regulation ca. 5-9% depending
upon treatment levels within 30 days as shown by PS-1241. The enhancement in days after treatment have been found
correlated in an increasing order in response to loss in total carotenoids (%). Key words: Salinity,
Chlorophyll, Pigments, Carotenoids, Soybean |
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43. |
Exclusively Online Res. Environ. Life Sci., 4(4) 195-197 (2011) Drip irrigation regimes and mulches effects on soil
temperature Mohd. Suhail*1
and Shahid Ahamad2 1K.V.K. Lakhimpur-kheri, CSAUAT-Kanpur,
U.P., India 2Regional Agricultural Research Station, Rajouri,
SKUAST-Jammu, India *e-mail: drsuhail.lmp@gmail.com (Received:
October 18, 2011; Revised received: November 27, 2011; Accepted: November 30,
2011) |
Abstract: The study was carried out during 2005-06 and
2006-07 at K.V.K. Lakhimpur-kheri on drip
irrigation regimes and mulching method on nutrient uptake of aonla (Emblica officinalis) cv. NA-10. It is clear from the observation that application of
different regimes shows that there is very minute impact on soil temperature.
In general higher soil temperature was reported in I1 (IW/CPE=1) irrigation
regime. The soil temperature at 15 cm. depth varied in deferent mulches.
Maximum soil temperature has been reported in black polythine
(M1) followed by control and paddy straw mulch. Key words: Aonla, drip, fungus, bacteria earthworms |