Conservation agricultural practices for minimizing ammonia volatilization and maximizing wheat productivity

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - A large amount of ammonia volatilization from the agricultural system causes environmental problems and increases production costs. Conservation...     

Gamma irradiation of municipal sludge for safe disposal and agricultural use.

Gamma radiation was found to be an effective tool for hygienization of municipal wastewater sludge. The sludge received from the primary settling tank of a municipal wastewater treatment plant was gamma irradiated using a cobalt-60 source in a sludge hygienization research irradiator. The process parameters were adjusted to effectively eliminate coliform bacteria in the sludge and to prevent their regrowth. Irradiated sludge was found to be free of fecal coliform and could be directly disposed after drying in a landfill or used as manure. It could also be used as a medium for growth of Rhizobium sp for obtaining a bio-fertilizer.     

Combating Desertification: Building on Traditional Knowledge Systems of the Thar Desert Communities

The Thar Desert of western India is known for its rich and ancient culture system and traditions. The communities have long been part of the Thar Desert ecosystem and have evolved specific strategies to live in harmony with its hostile environment. This culture has provided several miracle plants of immense food and medicinal value to modern civilisation. The ancient rural livelihood knowledge system reflects time-tested techno-scientific knowledge with a proven track record of sustainability, especially during natural hazards like drought and famines. In addition, several of the traditional skills of local communities in arts and crafts, music and instruments have made modern man aware of the art and techniques of sustainably utilising local biological resources and preserving their biodiversity along with using waste products of the forests, without harming the desert ecosystem. Traditional cultural and socio-religious values are fast dwindling under the impact of materialistic approach, industrialisation and development. This paper endeavours to illustrate the need to assist and propagate indigenous rural livelihood systems rather than mindlessly replace or abandon them as a result of state bureaucracies.     

Electricity planning and environmental issues in selected Asian countries

This paper discusses the key issues related to the supply- and demand-side options for the improvement of the environmental performance of the electricity sector in 10 countries of Asia. It also discusses the growth of the electricity sector and its contribution in the total emission of pollutants from the use of commercial energy in the selected countries.     

Mercury fractionation in the sediments of Vembanad wetland, west coast of India

Transformations among different mercury species associated with sediments can have a major effect on the metal's mobility and potential for methylation and hence bioaccumulation. In the present study, various fractions of mercury in the sediments of Vembanad wetland system analysed. Total mercury (THg) concentration in the surface sediment varied from 16.3 to 4,230?ng/g. The results of sequential extraction showed that the major portion of mercury in these sediments existed as elemental form followed by organo-chelated form. The least portion observed was the residual fraction (mercury of natural origin). Even though the percentage of mercury observed in the easily available fractions is relatively small, absolute values of these mobile Hg fractions are quite high due to the very high total mercury values. The fractionation of mercury in the sediment was controlled by the organic matter, sulphur complexes and concentration of THg. The results showed that the bioavailability of mercury is high as the amount of mercury found in the initial three fractions is high, which can also enhance the methylation potential of the Vembanad wetland sediments. The fractionation pattern of mercury also revealed the presence of anthropogenic mercury content in the Vembanad wetland sediments.