‘Studies on Bacterial Indicators and Pathogen Vibrio parahaemolyticus in Cochin Backwater

Microbiological studies on the incidence, behaviour, activity and ecological implications of marine micro~organisms, particularly microbial pathogens in coastal waters and estuaries exhibit the increasing concern and awareness of environmental impacts on health and wealth. Marine microbiologists have been active in investigating on the distribution, kinds of organisms and their activity in the environment. However, informations on the effect of environment on the ecology or on the distribution (spatial/temporal) of microbial comunity and competition among groups inhabiting the ecosystem are sparE§L Estuarine environment are complex with respect to diversity of habitats, variation in physicochemical parameters and contamination by terrestrial bacterial species. Being the organisms of‘public health significance, ecological studies on total coliforms, faecal coliforms, faecal streptococci, §. ggli and X. parahaemolyticus have great relevance as studies of these types would provide a wealth of information to environmentalists and to fishery industry. In order to evalé%e the status, role and significance of potentially hazardous bacterial species in natural environment it is necessary to monitor the ecology of such organisms systematically in relation to physico-chemical parameters

Physical characteristics of the coastal waters off the south-west coast of india with an attempt to study the possible relationship with sardine mackerel and anchovy fisheries

The present study is aimed at observing the variations, in space and time, of see of the important hydrographic parameters such as sea water temperature, salinity and Resolved oxygen within the coastal waters along the south-west coast of Indiametween Ratnagiri (17°OO*N,73°20'E) and cape comorin ( 8°10'N,77°30*E). Specific data relating to the process of upwelling and sinking was collected mainly to evaluate the extent and intensity of the vertical mixing processes active in the area under study. The study also attempted possible correlations between the observed parameters and the occurrence and migrations of some of the major pelagic fishery resources such as sardine,mackerel and anchovy in the area under study

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.