Hydrogeological, Geophysical And Geochemical Studies In Parts Of Coastal And Midland Areas, Central Kerala - A Gis Approach

The present study deals with the different hydrogeological characteristics of the coastal region of central Kerala and a comparative analysis with corresponding hard rock terrain. The coastal regions lie in areas where the aquifer systems discharge groundwater ultimately into the sea. Groundwater development in such regions will require a precise understanding of the complex mechanism of the saline and fresh water relationship, so that the withdrawals are so regulated as to avoid situations leading to upcoming of the saline groundwater bodies as also to prevent migration of sea water ingress further inland. Coastal tracts of Kerala are formed by several drainage systems. Thick pile of semi-consolidated and consolidated sediments from Tertiary to Recent age underlies it. These sediments comprise phreatic and confined aquifer systems. The corresponding hard rock terrain is encountered with laterites and underlined by the Precambrian metamorphic rocks. Supply of water from hard rock terrain is rather limited. This may be due to the small pore size, low degree of interconnectivity and low extent of weathering of the country rocks. The groundwater storage is mostly controlled by the thickness and hydrological properties of the weathered zone and the aquifer geometry. The over exploitation of groundwater, beyond the ‘safe yield’ limit, cause undesirable effects like continuous reduction in groundwater levels, reduction in river flows, reduction in wetland surface, degradation of groundwater quality and many other environmental problems like drought, famine etc.

Integrated Coastal Water Quality Assessment Of Andrott Island, Lakshadweep

Assessment water’ quality nowa-days in global scenario implies the need for a reference point against which monitoring can be measured and weighed. Aquatic ecosystenis as part of the natural environment are balanced both witliin tlicinselves and with other environmental compartments and this equilibrium is subject to natural variations and evolutions as well as variations caused by human intervention. The present assessnient is to identify. and possibly quantify, anthropogenic influences over time against a “natural baseline situation. Water pollution problems have only recently been taken seriously in retrospect. Once damage occurred, it becomes immeasurable, and control action cannot be initiated

Ecotoxic Metal Records and its Degree of Geochemical Symphony in the Niche of Cochin Estuarine System- A Theraptic Perspective

The heavy metal contamination in the environment may lead to circumstances like bioaccumulation and inturn biomagnification. Hence cheaper and effective technologies are needed to protect the precious natural resources and biological lives. A suitable technique is the one which meets the technical and environmental criteria for dealing with a particular remediation problem and should be site-specific due to spatial and climatic variations and it may not economically feasible everywhere. The search for newer technologies for the environmental therapy, involving the removal of toxic metals from wastewaters has directed attention to adsorption, based on metal binding capacities of various adsorbent materials. Therefore, the present study aim to identify and evaluate the most current mathematical formulations describing sorption processes. Although vast amount of research has been carried out in the area of metal removal by adsorption process using activated carbon few specific research data are available in different scientific institutions. The present work highlights the seasonal and spatial variations in the distribution of some selected heavy metals among various geochemical phases of Cochin Estuarine system and also looked into an environmental theraptic/remedial approach by adsorption technique using activated charcoal and chitosan, to reduce and thereby controlling metallic pollution. The thesis has been addressed in seven chapters with further subdivisions. The first chapter is introductory, stating the necessity of reducing or preventing water pollution due to the hazardous impact on environment and health of living organisms and drawing it from a careful review of literature relevant to the present study. It provides a constricted description about the study area, geology, and general hydrology and also bears the major objectives and scope of the present study.

Waste Water Treatment Using Low Cost Natural Adsorbents

Heavy metals are major toxic pollutants with severe health effects on humans. They are released into the environment from a variety of industrial activities. Cadmium, lead, zinc, chromium and copper are the most toxic metals of widespread use in industries such as tanning, electroplating, electronic equipment manufacturing and chemical processing plants. Heavy metals contribute to a variety of adverse health environmental effects due to their acute and chronic exposure through air, water and food chain. Conventional treatment methods of metal removal are often limited by their cost and ineffectiveness at low concentrations. Adsorption, the use of inactivated biomass as adsorbents offers an attractive potential alternative to their conventional methods. Mango peel and Alisma plantago aquatica are naturally occurring and abundant biomass can offer an economical solution for metal removal.The Cd(II), Pb(II), Zn(II), Cr(III) and Cu(II) adsorption by milled adsorbents of mango peel and Alisma plantago aquatica were evaluated in batches.

Studies on The Ecophysiology Of Some Heterotrophic and Indicator Bacteria In The Marine Environments of Kerala

The thesis entitled "Studies on the eco-physiology of heterotrophic and indicator bacteria in the marine environments of Kerala" embodies the results of an investigation carried out by the candidate at the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Cochin. It is presentedd under 4 chapters in two parts (Parts A & B) and includes 6 sections. The material for the study was collected in the Cochin backwater during April 1972 to February. 1973, March 1974 to February 1975, July 1975 to June 1976 and in the ishore area during January to October, 1978 and an account of the heterotropic and indicator bacteria are given with intensity charts and tables. Samples from all the stations contained significant quantities of heterotrophs (Part A, Section I) and faecal pollution indicators (Section II). Maximum number of heterotrophic bacteria was observed during the postmonsoon period. The total counts betwen one station and the other did not vary as much as the counts between months did. The distribution was characterised by overdispersion. During 1972-73 in all the stations except the fourth the minimum heterotrophs (Total counts) were recorded during the monsoon period. Minimum counts were observed during the premonsoon period, with an increasing trend from the premonsoon to postmonsoon seasons. Maximum counts were recorded during monsoon months during 1974-75. No significant difference was noted in the total plate count between stations, months and regions. Seasonal variations in sea water was meagre during 1975-76, whereas in sediments variations were prominent during monsoon in Station I - near the mouth of the sewage effluent of Cochin City and in postmonsoon at Station II in the Mattancherry Channel and Station III near barmouth

Studies on The Ecology And Production of Algae in Prawn Culture Systems

Existing method of culture were largely based on empirical knowledge. Lacking a scientific basis as such methods did, they were often wasteful and suffered severe limitation. Modern methods of fish and prawn culture based on scientific research, have revolutioned the industry in recent years and not only extended its scope to cover the whole country but led to increased fish and prawn production. An understanding of the biological capability of the water in the perennial and seasonal culture ponds, and the nature and extent of the influence of the abiotic factors on the production of organisms in the primary level of food chain would contribute to effectively implement management measures in the stocking strategies and in the evaluation of economics of production of prawns. It is against this background that the present topic of investigation "Studies on the ecology and production of algae in prawn culture systems” was selected.

Effect Of Raw Material Quality On The Shelf Life Of Frozen Stored Fish And Fishery Products

Frozen storage characteristics and shelflife vary considerably among species as well as within the species (Powrie, 1973; Fennema. 1973). This can be attributed to the variation in the composition of fish among various species. In certain species like sardines and mackerel. wide seasonal variation in chemical composition occur within the species. These variations affect the quality and shelflife. The nutritional level of water. spawning, method of catching, struggling etc. are found to have profound influence on the condition of the fresh fish. Soon after death the deteriorative changes in fish start due to autolysis and bacterial growth. The rate of these changes depends mainly on temperature. The handling methods have great influence on bacterial contamination. Thus the type oi'handling. temperature control. period of chill storage. processing methods. type of freezing, condition of frozen storage and period of storage affect the quality and shelflife Of the fisho In the present study extensive investigations were carried out on various factors affecting the quality of fish as well as their effect on the physical. chemical and sensory qualities of fish during frozen storage and the shelflife

Studies on the mineralogy, geochemistry and origin of the modern sediments of the ashtamudy lake, Kerala

This study enfolds the environment of deposition and the lateral variation in texture, mineralogy and geochemistry of the Ashtamudy lake sediments. While the heavy mineral and clay mineral investigations enable us to decipher the nature, texture and source of sediments; organic matter and carbonate contents and the geochemical analysis of major and minor elements help establish the distribution and concentration of the same in regard to the various physico-chemical processes operating in the lake. Study of trace elements holds prime importance in this work, since their concentrations can be used to outline the extent of contaminated bottom area, as well as the source and dispersal paths of discharged_pollutants. In short, this study brings out a vivid picture of the mineralogy and geochemistry of the lake sediments in different environments, viz., the freshwater, brackish water and marine environments that are confined to the eastern, central and western parts of the lake respectively. For the better understanding and expression of the results of the analysis, the lake has been divided into 3 zones namely: eastern part, central part and western part.

Nature and Ecological significance of Nutrient Regeneration in Different Prawn Culture Fields

The present work "Nature and Ecological Significance of Nutrient Regeneration in different Prawn Culture Fields" was undertaken to understand the seasonal variation of nutrients, nutrient cycling and primary productivity of the prawn culture systems. The main emphasis was to find the qualitative and quantitative estimates of distribution of total phosphorus, inorganic phosphorus, organic phosphorus, total nitrogen and nitrogen fractions in the water. The effect of nutrient cycling on primary productivity and concentration of metals also form one part of the study. The entire thesis comprise of only one major chapter with subchapters such as, Introduction (I), Review of Literature (2), Material and Methods (3), Results (14), Discussion (5), Executive Summary (6) and Biblio~ graphy (7)

Wave Height Ano Speotral Transformation In The Shallow Waters Of Kerala Ooast And Their Preoiotion

There are basically two methods for prediction of shallow water waves, viz. the graphical method and the numerical method. The numerical methods are being widely used, now—a—days, because they are fast, accurate and are especially useful when the prediction over a large spatial frame is required. Practically little has been done on the development of numerical models for the prediction of height and spectral transformation of waves as applicable to our coasts. Synchronized deep and shallow water wave measurements which are essential for study of wave transformation are very much lacking for our coasts. Under these circumstances, a comprehensive study of the wave transformation in the shallow waters of our coast was felt very important and is undertaken in the present investigation.

Investlgations On The Chemical Constituents And Trace Metal Interactions In Some Bivalve Moll.USCS Of The Cochin Backwaters

The subsequent chapters of the Thesis deal with the toxic effects of mercury, copper, zinc und~1ead on these bivalve molluecs, their accumulation and distribution among various organs of the animals and also the motel retention winstica by the three species. Static biousauy tests have been conducted in these studies. It was found that the concentrations of the various metals studied in these organism are well below the permitted level given far ease ahellfienes (crab and ehrimgi and that these maliuscs are very good integrators ef trace metals from their environment and may be used as an indicator organism sf metal pallutaute. The present investigutionsemphaeie the need for a clean coastal water and gives a serious warning regarding the possiblc route of heavy metals in ta human body thraugh marine food chain.

Spectral and statistical characteristics of shoaling waves of Alleppey West coast of India

Some investigations on the spectral and statistical characteristics of deep water waves are available for Indian waters. But practically no systematic investigation on the shallow water wave spectral and probabilistic characteristics is made for any part of the Indian coast except for a few restricted studies. Hence a comprehensive study of the shallow water wave climate and their spectral and statistical characteristics for a location (Alleppey) along the southwest coast of India is undertaken based on recorded data. The results of the investigation are presented in this thesis.The thesis comprises of seven chapters

Application of ocean colour data to study the oceanographic and atmospheric features off the southwest coast of India with special reference to upwelling

Satellite remote sensing is being effectively used in monitoring the ocean surface and its overlying atmosphere. Technical growth in the field of satellite sensors has made satellite measurement an inevitable part of oceanographic and atmospheric research. Among the ocean observing sensors, ocean colour sensors make use of visible band of electromagnetic spectrum (shorter wavelength). The use of shorter wavelength ensures fine spatial resolution of these parameters to depict oceanographic and atmospheric characteristics of any region having significant spaio-temporal variability. Off the southwest coast of India is such an area showing very significant spatio-temporal oceanographic and atmospheric variability due to the seasonally reversing surface winds and currents. Consequently, the region is enriched with features like upwelling, sinking, eddies, fronts, etc. Among them, upwelling brings nutrient-rich waters from subsurface layers to surface layers. During this process primary production enhances, which is measured in ocean colour sensors as high values of Chl a. Vertical attenuation depth of incident solar radiation (Kd) and Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) are another two parameters provided by ocean colour sensors. Kd is also susceptible to undergo significant seasonal variability due to the changes in the content of Chl a in the water column. Moreover, Kd is affected by sediment transport in the upper layers as the region experiences land drainage resulting from copious rainfall. The wide range of variability of wind speed and direction may also influence the aerosol source / transport and consequently AOD. The present doctoral thesis concentrates on the utility of Chl a, Kd and AODprovided by satellite ocean colour sensors to understand oceanographic and atmospheric variability off the southwest coast of India. The thesis is divided into six Chapters with further subdivisions

Studies on Catalysis by Nano Titania Modified with Metals and Nonmetals

Semiconductor photocatalysis has received much attention during last three decades as a promising solution for both energy generation and environmental problems. Heterogeneous photocatalytic oxidation allows the degradation of organic compounds into carbon dioxide and water in the presence of a semiconductor catalyst and UV light source. The •OH radicals formed during the photocatalytic processes are powerful oxidizing agents and can mineralise a number of organic contaminants. Titanium dioxide (TiO2), due to its chemical stability, non-toxicity and low cost represents one of the most efficient photocatalyst. However, only the ultraviolet fraction of the solar radiation is active in the photoexcitation processes using pure TiO2 and although, TiO2 can treat a wide range of organic pollutants the effectiveness of the process for pollution abatement is still low. A more effective and efficient catalyst therefore must be formulated. Doping of TiO2 was considered with the aim of improving photocatalytic properties. In this study TiO2 catalyst was prepared using the sol-gel method. Metal and nonmetal doped TiO2 catalysts were prepared. The photoactivity of the catalyst was evaluated by the photodegradation of different dyes and pesticides in aqueous solution. High photocatalytic degradation of all the pollutants was observed with doped TiO2. Structural and optical properties of the catalysts were characterized using XRD, BET surface area, UV-Vis. DRS, CHNS analysis, SEM, EDX, TEM, XPS, FTIR and TG. All the catalysts showed the anatase phase. The presence of dopants shifts the absorption of TiO2 into the visible region indicating the possibility of using visible light for photocatalytic processes.

Investigations on novel polymer nano composites and bio-compatible manganese doped ZnS nanocrystals for photonic and bio-imaging applications

Fluorescence is a powerful tool in biological research, the relevance of which relies greatly on the availability of sensitive and selective fluorescent probes. Nanometer sized fluorescent semiconductor materials have attracted considerable attention in recent years due to the high luminescence intensity, low photobleaching, large Stokes’ shift and high photochemical stability. The optical and spectroscopic features of nanoparticles make them very convincing alternatives to traditional fluorophores in a range of applications. Efficient surface capping agents make these nanocrystals bio-compatible. They can provide a novel platform on which many biomolecules such as DNA, RNA and proteins can be covalently linked. In the second phase of the present work, bio-compatible, fluorescent, manganese doped ZnS (ZnS:Mn) nanocrystals suitable for bioimaging applications have been developed and their cytocompatibility has been assessed. Functionalization of ZnS:Mn nanocrystals by safe materials results in considerable reduction of toxicity and allows conjugation with specific biomolecules. The highly fluorescent, bio-compatible and water- dispersible ZnS:Mn nanocrystals are found to be ideal fluorescent probes for biological labeling