Journal of Ecophysiology and Occupational Health

Gunjan Sharma ¹, Jamshed Zaidi ¹, Amit Pal ¹

Affiliations
1 Institute of Environment and Development Studies Bundelkhand University, Jhansi, U.P-284 128, IN

Abstract

The Bundelkhand region - approximately an area of 70,000 square kilometers with 21 million people, comprising 13 districts of Madhya Pradesh (MP) and Uttar Pradesh (UP) - is facing its worst ever drought spell in living memory . There are numbers of century old historical lakes in this region which are getting polluted day by day due to the growth of the small scale industrial corridor, nutrient loading and rapid anthropogenic activities. The increasing levels of metals in the aquatic ecosystem, their entry into food chain and the overall health effects are of major concern to researchers in the field of ecology. There are out of twelve existing plants in different water bodies, four aquatic macrophytes namely Eichorniacrassipes, Pistiastratiotes, Lemna minor and Vallisneriaspiralis  were selected for phytoremediation study on the basis of their abundance in selected study areas. Concentration of six trace metals have been estimated in above mentioned macrophytes i.e., Copper (Cu), Chromium (Cr), Iron (Fe), Manganese (Mn), Lead (Pb), and Zinc (Zn). From a phytoremediation perspective, E. crassipes and Pistiastratiotes are promising plant species for remediation of polluted water bodies of Bundelkhand region.

Keywords

Bundelkhand Region, Eichhornia, Pistia, Lemna, Vallisneria, Heavy Metals.

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D. P. Gond ¹, Amit Pal ¹, Siddharth Singh ²

Affiliations
1 Institute of Environment and Development Studies, Bundelkhand University, Jhansi–284128, IN
2 Environmental Management Group, CSIR-Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research, Dhanbad–826015, IN

Abstract

The disposal of huge amount of fly-ash from coal-fired power stations causes significant economic and environmental problems. The conventional disposal methods for fly-ash lead to degradation of arable land and contamination of the ground water. However fly-ash is a useful ameliorant that may improve the physical, chemical and biological properties of acidic soils and is a source of readily available plant macro and micronutrients. Fly-ash can enhance plant biomass production from degraded soils. In the present investigation Tomato (Pusha rubi) were grown in degraded soil of Chandrapura (as control) and various amendments (60, 120, 180 and 240) of Chandrapura Thermal Power Plant fly-ash for a period of 100 days and effect on growth and productivity of plant was evaluated vis-a-vis metal accumulation in the plants. The toxicity of fly-ash at higher concentration was reflected by the reduction in plant height and fruit weight. However, at lower concentrations (60-180), Fly-ash enhanced growth of the plants as evident by the increased growth parameters. The chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, Carotenoid, ischolar_main and shoot length showed increase in their levels up to 180 t/ha fly-ash as compared to control.

Keywords

Fly-Ash, Growth and Productivity, Macro and Micro Nutrients, Tomato.

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Assadullah Sheikh ¹, S. V. S. Rana ¹, Amit Pal ¹

Affiliations
1 Institute of Environment and Development Studies, Bundelkhand University, Jhansi – 284128, IN

Abstract

The mining and stone crushing activities have considerable effects on the environment quality and human health. The dust emissions contaminate the air and water. Investigations made on air and water quality in areas adjacent to stone crushers around Jhansi have been reported in this communication. Further, impact assessment of health effects in exposed human population has also been made. Results on water analysis show decline in DO and high values of total hardness, calcium, magnesium, chloride, total solids and total dissolved solids. Stone crushing and associated activities mainly contribute to particulate matter in the surrounding environment. The mean minimum and maximum values of SPM at crushing and residential sites were recorded of 1045.49μm/m³, 1268.6μm/m³ and 545.86 μm/m³, 617.2 μm/m³ respectively. Present investigations show that exposure to dust can cause serious respiratory (45.11%), skin (43.33%), hearing (21.53%), eye (17.8%), dyspnea (14.66%) like health problems. Present study reflects that regulatory measures are urgently needed to protect the environment against pollution caused by stone crusher.

Keywords

Mining, Environmental Contaminant, Health Hazard, Environment Impact.

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Jamshed Zaidi ¹, A. H. Khan ², Amit Pal ³

Affiliations
1 Institute of Environment and Development Studies, Bundelkhand University, Jhansi – 284128, Uttar Pradesh, IN
2 CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Lucknow – 226001, Uttar Pradesh, India, IN
3 Institute of Environment and Development Studies, Bundelkhand University, Jhansi - 284128, Uttar Pradesh, India, IN

Abstract

The present study analyses the potential capacity of aquatic macrophytes to accumulate heavy metals from contaminated waters of three different aquatic bodies namely Mahil Talab, Sumera Talab and Kothi Talab (lake). Four different macrophytes taken for study due to their abundance, are named as Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.), Hydrilla verticillata (L. F.), Chara spp. (L.) and Lemna minor (L.) Samples for the analysis of heavy metals were collected from these ponds during the period of October 2015 to September 2016. Five heavy metals named as Fe, Cd, Cu, Cr, Pb and Ni were analyzed in water, sediments and selected plant species which were abundant in water. The amount of metals and their accumulation status recorded in the studied macrophytes are arranged in the given sequence Fe>Pb>Cd>Cr>Cu>Ni. On the basis of metal concentration in different aquatic plants, water bodies and sediment, Pb and Cd was found to be target metal for the removal from the selected water bodies. The present experiments were carried out in the laboratory to analyze the Pb and Cd uptake capacity by above mentioned aquatic macrophytes. From the aspect of phytoremediation in present research, out of the four different macrophytes as above E. crassipes and Chara spp. may be considered as more affective for remediation of contaminated water bodies of Bundelkhand region especially for Pb and Cd removal.

Keywords

Aquatic Macrophytes, Bundelkhand Region, Heavy Metals, Toxicity.

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