Phytoplankton species diversity indices in Anjanapura reservoir, Western Ghat region, India.

A qualitative study on species composition and diversity of phytoplankton flora was carried out in the Anjanapura reservoir. Water samples were collected monthly at four sites from November 2005 to October 2007 for plankton analysis. A total of 152 phytoplankton species belonging to 59 genera were recorded. The species belonging to genera Crucigenia, Pediastrum, Scenedesmus, Tetraedron, Cyclotella, Gyrosigma, Melosira, Navicula, Fragillaria, pinnularia, Synedra, Closterium, Cosmarium, Euastrum, Staurastrum, Gleocapsa, Merismopedia, Microcystis,Oscillatoria, Euglena and Phacus were found dominant. Phytoplankton density was recorded in the range of 222-1467 Org l-1 for chlorococcales, 267-1467 Org l-1 for diatoms, 44-889 Org l-1 for desmids, 44-889 Org l-1 for blue-greens and 22-1667 Org l-1 for euglenoids. Seasonal density Shannon-Weiner diversity index (1.60-1.88) indicate that reservoir exhibited rich phytoplankton and Nygaard tropic status indices for myxophycean(1.0-1.50), chlorophycean(1.62-2.16), diatoms(0.10-0.14), euglenophycean(0.18-0.19) and compound quotient(3.25-4.66) showed that reservoir was moderately polluted. From the observed data, it could be concluded that the presence of more diverse group of phytoplankton indicate the productivity of the reservoir.

Studies on diversity of lichen, Pyxine cocoes to air pollution in Bhadravathi town, Karnataka, India.

Air pollution induced climate change affecting the pigmentation and diversity of lichen, Pyxine cocoes were monitored around the industrial area and traffic area of Bhadravthi using European guidelines. The obtained data has been discussed and results compared with data from that of Kuvempu University campus (control). From the present study, it was evident that the air pollutants emitted from the two major industries and other small scale industries affected the total chlorophyll (0.16 mg g-1) and carotene pigments (0.11 mg g-1) in Pyxine cocoes, as well as their diversity (approx 13) on two plants (M. indica and P. pinnata) in the vicinity of the industrial area. Further, as a result of vehicular pollution at traffic area resulted in the deterioration of total chlorophyll (0.11 mg g-1), carotene pigments (0.07 mg g-1) and diversity (approx. 17) of Pyxine cocoes compared to control site. The present study has thrown light on lichens sensitivity to the air pollution.

Isolation and characterization of extracellular thermostable alkaline phosphatase enzyme from bacillus spp.

Alkaline phosphatase (E C 3.1.3.1) belongs to the class of hydrolases and catalyzes the alkaline hydrolysis of a number of phosphoric acid esters, nucleotides etc. Alkaline phosphatase was produced from Bacillus spp, isolated from soil samples. The Bacillus spp. was identified by staining and standard biochemical tests after which screening was done using modified Pikovoskaya’s agar method. Production of alkaline phosphatase using different substrates like calcium phosphate along with casein, starch, glucose and glutamic acid was carried out. High activity was found in calcium phosphate along with the casein. The specific activity of the crude extract was found to be 0.825U and it was subjected to purification by DEAE-Cellulose ion exchange chromatography. Finally,36% recovery was obtained. The molar mass was estimated by using 10% SDS-PAGE and was found to be approximately 84 KD. The optimum activity was at pH 8.8 and temperature of 650C. Alkaline phosphatase activity was enhanced by Mg2++ upto 66% and 80% activity was inhibited by EDTA. Alkaline Phosphatase activity was also confirmed by zymography using malachite green staining method.

Application of Trapa bipinosa for the treatment of pulp and paper industry effluent.

The ability of aquatic plants to absorb, translocate and concentrate metals has led to the development of various plant-based treatment systems. The potential to accumulate metals like iron, nickel, manganese and copper by Trapa bipinosa was assessed by subjecting them to different effluent concentrations of pulp and paper industry under laboratory conditions. Trapa showed the ability to accumulate substantial amounts of the metals during a short span of one week. When the plants were grown in different concentrations they caused significant reduction in various parameters like dissolved oxygen, biological oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, total alkalinity, total hardness, chloride and sulphate. While there was an increase in biomass, no visible phytotoxic symptoms were shown by treated plants.

Phytoplankton as index of water quality with reference to industrial pollution.

In this paper Shannon-Weaver (SI-3.58-4.07, SII-3.1-3.72, SIII-1.64-2.25, SIV-2.54-2.95 and SV-3.09-3.23) diversity index was applied to surface phytoplankton to study the water quality status of river Bhadra receiving Mysore paper mill and Iron and steel mill effluent. A total of 45 species of phytoplankton belonging to 5 classes were recorded and study indicated that the phytoplankton diversity (Chlorophyceae-19 species, Bacillanophyceae-16 species, Cyanophyceae-07 species, Euglenophyceae-2 species and Chrysophyceae-1 species) did not reveal the same type of water quality (water temperature 24.62-27.32 degrees C, pH-7.08-7.25, electrical conductivity-67.49-201.94 micromhos/cm, dissolved oxygen-4.13-5.98 mgl(-1), chloride-12.30-40.85 mgl(-1), calcium-6.49-23.74 mgl(-1), total hardness 28.98-76.65 mgl(1), magnesium-4.69-15.92 mgl(-1), total alkalinity-77.26-86.53 mgl(-1), BOD-1.88-4.01 mgl(-1), COD - 16.53-45 mgl(-1), phosphate-0.001-0.53 mgl(-1), sodium-2.70-7.46 mgl(-1) and potassium-2.37-7.88 mgl(-1)). The investigation emphasized the need of phytoplankton community as index of water quality polluted by industrial effluents at the downstream stretch of the Bhadra river.

Trace metal levels in the organs of finfish Oreochromis mossambicus (Peter) and relevant water of Jannapura lake, India.

Trace metal levels in the body organs of finfish, Oreochromis mossambicus (Peter) and relevant water was studied in Jannapura lake, located five kilometers from Bhadravathi town, Karnataka, India, during 2004-05. Lead, Copper and Cadmium accumulation was higher in muscles than in gills while, Zinc, Nickel and Cobalt accumulation was maximum in gills followed by muscles. The metals present in the highest concentration were in the order of Pb > Cu > Zn > Cd > Ni > Co in the water samples. The higher concentration of various metals in water and Pb, Ni in fish muscle and Ni in gill samples was probably due to the addition of untreated sewage, geological weathering and agricultural runoff from the surrounding areas. On the basis of results obtained, it is predicted that if the present situation of water pollution continues in future, survival of fish population and other aquatic animals will be extremely difficult.