Physico-chemical assessment of paper mill effluent and its heavy metal remediation using aquatic macrophytes—a case study at JK Paper mill, Rayagada, India

The present investigation aims to assess the phytoremediation potential of six aquatic macrophytes, viz. Eichhornia crassipes, Hydrilla verticillata, Jussiaea repens, Lemna minor, Pistia stratiotes and Trapa natans grown in paper mill effluent of JK Paper mill of Rayagada, Orissa, for remediation of heavy metals. The experiment was designed in pot culture experiments. Assessment of physico-chemical parameters of paper mill effluent showed significant decrease in pH, conductivity, total dissolved solids, total suspended solids, chlorine, sulphur, biological and chemical oxygen demand after growth of macrophytes for 20 days. Phytoremediation ability of these aquatic macrophytic species for copper (Cu) and mercury (Hg) was indicated by assessing the decrease in the levels of heavy metals from effluent water. Maximum reduction (66.5 %) in Hg content of untreated paper mill effluent was observed using L. minor followed by T. natans (64.8 %). L. minor showed highest reduction (71.4 %) of Cu content from effluent water followed by E. crassipes (63.6 %). Phytoextraction potential of L. minor was remarkable for Hg and Cu, and bioaccumulation was evident from bioconcentration factor values, i.e. 0.59 and 0.70, respectively. The present phytoremediation approach was considered more effective than conventional chemical treatment method for removing toxic contaminants from paper mill effluent.     

Carbon isotopic and biochemical fingerprints of sedimentary organic matter in lower Narmada and Tapi rivers,north-west coast of India

Sources of organic matter (OM) in lower Narmada and Tapi river-estuaries were examined using organic carbon to nitrogen ratio (C_org/N), stable carbon isotope ratio (δ¹³C_org) and lignin phenol biomarkers. The signature of lower C_org (av. 0.50%) and higher δ¹³C_org (av. –20.3‰) in Narmada and, higher C_org (av. 0.85%) and lower δ¹³C_org (av. –22.8‰) in Tapi highlight the difference in OM characteristics of both systems, nevertheless they flow adjacent to each other. The OM in Tapi was predominated by fresh plant tissues, as indicated by higher Λ8?=?1.2–3.2?mg/100?mg C_org, lower Ad/Al_v?=?0.22–0.46 and lower LPVI?=?17–23. The plant OM present in the sediments of Narmada was previously degraded and mixed with soil. The OM contribution from algae was restricted to estuarine stations in both the rivers, which was ～50% in Narmada and ～35% in Tapi. The contribution of OM from fresh vascular plant was higher (20% to 63%) in Tapi than Narmada (2% to 35%). This study illustrated the benefits of using lignin phenols along with C_org/N and δ¹³C_org to identify the potential OM sources in two large river–estuary systems of India, which highlighted the complex interaction of natural and anthropogenic processes acted on the terrestrial OM compositions.     

The multiple pathways of high performing groups: the interaction of social networks and group processes

This study examines how both strong and weak relationship groups (groups with numerous, intense internal friendship ties and few, less intense internal friendship ties respectively) achieve high performance when utilizing strategies that capitalize on the strengths and minimizing the weaknesses associated with their internal social structure. We examine the interactions of groups' internal friendship networks with their external network structures (external ties) and internal intragroup conflict (constructive controversy). The results of a study using survey, archival and interview data on 35 groups of MBA students indicated that internal friendship networks interacted with constructive controversy and external networks to determine when groups would achieve superior performance. High performing strong relationship groups engaged in greater constructive controversy than low performing strong relationship groups, while constructive controversy appeared to have minimal effect on the performance of weak relationship groups. High performing weak relationship groups had fewer external bridging ties to other groups when compared to low performing weak relationship groups, while external bridging ties appeared to have minimal effect on the performance of strong relationship groups. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A study on traffic noise of two campuses of University, Balasore, India

Noise pollution is a significant environmental problem in many rapidly urbanizing areas of Orissa, India. Transportation sector is one of the major contributors to noise in these areas. The present study is an attempt to estimate traffic noise pollution at five places on the way from Vyasa Vihar Campus to Gyan Vigyan Vihar Campus of Fakir Mohan University, Balasore, Orissa. The sources of noise at the studied sites are predominantly attributable to motor vehicular traffic. The noise levels of all the five locations were found to be beyond permissible limit during the day time. The contributions of different types of vehicles to environmental noise were found to ranging from 70.4-94.2, 79.0-96.1, 77.8-110.2, 70.8-90.3, 71.0-87.5, 71.1-84.4, 72.5-86.9 and 74.0-85.4 dB (A) by cargo carrying Trucks, Tractors, Dumpers, Town Buses, Motor cycles, Bolero/Trucker, Pick up and Tempo respectively. The contributions of individual vehicles towards noise pollution were found to be more than the road traffic noise-limit i.e., 70 dB (A). On certain local inhabitants interviewed, the impact of noise was observed in the forms of alterations in their physical, psychological and personal aspects. This study warrants attention from all sections of people to deal with the problem of noise pollution.     

Sustainable development and automation: are they compatible?

Summary The ecological crisis is a result of modern industrial development and its negative impacts which are not conducive to the co-existence of essential diversities in the ecosystem. One of the major trends in present day industry is to move towards computer-based automation. This article discusses the compatibility of this trend towards automation with sustainable development which is regarded as the only viable choice to overcome the ecological crisis. After discussing the present day concepts of sustainable development, automation and the economic impact of automation on society, this paper argues that computer-based automation in industry is not conducive to sustainable development. It is also argued that the spread of automation will decrease the capability of mankind as a whole to implement environmentally sustainable programmes. Finally, the man-nature relationship which is the philosophical basis of the industrial paradigm is discussed. As pointed out by some comparative philosophers, the basic concept of human superiority and separation from nature has to change in order to have a harmonious integrity of life forms as complementary realities in this phenomenal existence.Satyabrata Pradhan is a Post Doctoral Research Fellow of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of British     

Effect of human use,season and habitat on ungulate density in Kanha Tiger Reserve,Madhya Pradesh,India

Conservation practitioners require strata specific, seasonal species densities for habitat management. Herein, we use stratified distance sampling in Kanha Tiger Reserve (KTR) with 200 spatial transects and an effort of 1200 km walk in the year 2013. Analysis was done to access (a) impact of human use and (b) effect of habitat and season on ungulate densities in KTR. While a single detection function for each species was used for estimating density within human-restricted core and multiple use buffer of KTR, species-specific seasonal detections were modelled for each habitat. Ungulate biomass was 4.8 times higher in the core area compared with the buffer zone. The core supported a herbivore density and biomass of 50 ± 4.80/km² and 26,806 ± 2573 kg/km², respectively. Chital were found to be most abundant, having a density of 30.1 ± 4.34/km² and contributing 33 % of the biomass with a habitat preference for grasslands (106 ± 39/km²) in summer and winter. Sambar had highest density (15.4 ± 3.34/km²) in bamboo-mixed habitat, in both seasons. Gaur contributed 39 % of the ungulate biomass and showed a seasonal shift in density from sal forests (9.65 ± 3.55/km²) in summer to miscellaneous forests (8.13 ± 1.94/km²) in winter. Barasingha were restricted to grasslands with similar summer and winter densities of 1.56 ± 0.76/km². Chousingha were rare (0.1 ± 0.04/km²), found mostly in miscellaneous forests and plateau grasslands. Grassland and bamboo-mixed forests supported 58 % of the total ungulate biomass. Management for an optimal habitat mosaic that maintains ungulate diversity, addresses the specific needs of endangered species and maximizes ungulate biomass is recommended.     

Risk of flood-related mortality in Nepal

In July 1993, severe flooding devastated Sarlahi district in Nepal. The next month, a follow-up study of a large population cohort was undertaken. The study is unique in that a prospective research database was used to verify residency prior to the flood and to confirm vital status afterwards. It evaluated 41,501 children aged between two and nine years and adults aged 15-70 in 7,252 households. Flood-related fatality rates were 13.3 per 1,000 for girls and 9.4 per 1,000 for boys, 6.1 per 1,000 for women and 4.1 per 1,000 for men. Flood-related fatality rates for children were six times higher than mortality rates in the same villages a year before the flood (relative risk (RR) = 5.9, 95 per cent confidence interval (CI) 5.0-6.8). Flood-related fatality was associated with low socio-economic status preflood (RR = 6.4, 95 per cent CI 2.7-20.0), and having a house constructed of thatch (RR = 5.1, 95 per cent CI 1.7-24.5).     

Knowledge and awareness of eco-sanitation in central Nepal: a questionnaire survey

This study is based on a visual inspection and a questionnaire survey about sanitation in central Nepal. A total of 201 people from different groups were asked about their knowledge about eco-toilets, the fertilizer value of human urine and wood ash. Farmers were the least educated and least aware of most of the topics asked. Although the majority of educated people were aware about urine fertilizer, 68% of them were not interested in its use in their home, and 39% of them said that it might be not accepted. The visual inspection revealed that environmental hygiene depends on education. It is concluded that farmers need to receive practical demonstrations about the use of eco-toilets and wood ash to appreciate the direct benefits. It can be assumed that since urine fertilizer is a bonus obtained from eco-toilets, this could encourage even poor people to construct these kinds of facilities.     

Application of deep neural network to capture groundwater potential zone in mountainous terrain,Nepal Himalaya

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - This study aims to capture groundwater potential zones integrating deep neural network and groundwater influencing factors. The present work was...