Isotopic composition (C & N) of the suspended particles and N uptake by phytoplankton in a shallow tropical coastal lagoon

The spatial distribution of the C/N ratios and variations in δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N of suspended particulate matter were used to characterise their source in Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon, Chilika, India. In addition, the significance of re-mineralised nutrients in the primary productivity of the shallow lagoon was also determined through quantification of the subsurface nitrogen uptake conditions at two relatively stable locations in the lagoon. The results indicated that the influence of terrestrial organic matter was the maximum in the northern sector and was relatively limited at the central and southern part of the lagoon. In situ ¹⁵N uptake experiments (daytime) under biogeochemically stable conditions revealed that the N uptake by phytoplankton ranged between 0.24 and 1.01?mM?m^?3?h^?1 during pre-monsoon and post-monsoon seasons. New production and regenerated production in the shallow lagoon was also estimated by calculating f-ratios (ratio of nitrate assimilation by phytoplankton to total nitrogenous nutrient assimilation, have been estimated), which varied from 0.52 in the post-monsoon to 0.38 in the pre-monsoon. Lowering of the f-ratio from post- to pre-monsoon indicated a dominance of mineralisation over the new production.     

Characterization of two metal resistant Bacillus strains isolated from slag disposal site at Burnpur, India

Two strains of Bacillus sp. resistant to arsenate and lead designated as AsSP9 and PbSP6, respectively were isolated from the slag disposal site. They were identified to be related to Bacillus cereus cluster on the basis of 16S rDNA based sequence analysis and phenotypic characteristics. Both were rod-shaped (AsSP9, 2-5 microm and PbSP6, 2-4 microm), aerobic, salt tolerant (2-8% NaCI), endospore forming bacteria with minor differences like the AsSP9 showed sporangial bulging and PbSP6 had positive lipase activity. The temperature range for their growth was 20-40 degrees C and pH range 6.0-9.0 with an optimum temperature of 37 degrees C and pH of 7 for both strains. The principal nitrogen sources forAsSP9 and PbSP6 were DL-Tryptophan and L-Phenylalanine, respectively. The suitable carbon source forAsSP9 was lactose and for PbSP6 sucrose. The heavy metal accumulation efficiency was found to be 0.0047 mg g(-1) of dry mass forAsSP9 and 0.686 mg g(-1) of dry mass for PbSP6.     

Assessment of Pollution Near Landfill Site in Nagpur, India by Resistivity Imaging and GPR

Groundwater pollution in the vicinity of a landfill site in Nagpur, India is assessed with the help of resistivity imaging and GPR tools. The resistivity imaging survey indicates high conductive anomalies in the topsoil as well as the underlying fractured rocks. Significant reflections from the GPR records known as radargrams are extracted with the help of maximum peak module and Hilbert transform module in RADAN 6. These reflections can be attributed to presence of fractures, which are potential pathways for migration of the fluid. The geophysical findings are strengthened by the results of groundwater analysis from wells located close to the profile where resistivity and GPR survey have been carried out. The study has indicated the vulnerability of the unconfined aquifer underlying the predominantly clay layer.