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.

Voltammetric determination of trace metals Zn2+, Cd2+, Pb2+, Cu2+, Co+2 and Ni+2 in some medicinally important plants from Western Ghats, Karnataka State, India.

Trace metal levels in selected medicinal plant leaves from Western Ghats, Karnataka, India were studied A method for the determination of Zinc, Copper, Lead and Cadmium simultaneously in the pH of 4.5 in citrate buffer, and Cobalt and Nickel simultaneously in the pH 9.2 in ammonia buffer medium has been optimized. Electrochemical method, Differential Pulse Anodic Stripping Voltammetry (DPASV) has been used for quantification. The optimized procedure has been successfully applied for the determination of the above-mentioned metal ions in some medicinally important plant leaves from Western Ghats, Karnataka, India. The concentrations of trace metals in the medicinal plant samples were found to be in the ranges: 15.61-20.71 mg g(-1) for copper, 0.056-0.10 mg g(-1) for cadmium, 0.91-1.81 mg g(-1) for lead, 0.42-0.96 mg g(-1) for nickel, 1.21-1.97 mg g(-1) for cobalt and 23.29-32.52 mg g(-1) for zinc. The effect of pH, deposition time and potential has been studied and optimized. The study reveals that all the trace metals are well within the maximum permissible limits, therefore, medicinal plants of this region are very much suitable for medicinal use. The results are compared with the data obtained by atomic absorption spectroscopy.

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.