Nature Environment and Pollution Technology

S. Nandhini ¹, K. Revathi ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Microbiology, Ethiraj College for Women, Chennai-600 008, T. N., IN
2 Department of Advanced Zoology and Biotechnology, Ethiraj College for Women, Chennai-600 008, T. N., IN

Abstract

Biofouling is a natural process of colonization of organisms on submerged surfaces, either living or artificial, by a wide range of microorganisms, plants, algae and animals. Biofilms on artificial structures create serious problems for industries worldwide, with effects such as increase in drag force and metal corrosion as well as reduction in heat transfer efficiency. For antifouling or preventing the attachment of fouling organisms, a knowledge of the microbial composition is of considerable importance. In the present study, biofouling samples were collected bimonthly from the boats docked at the Royapuram harbour, which is situated in northern Chennai. Culturable marine bacteria were isolated on Zobell's marine agar medium and identified by biochemical methods. The bacteria most frequently isolated were Bacillus spp., Vibrio spp., Pseudomonas spp., Micrococcus luteus, Proteus mirabilis and Shigella spp. The macrofouling community is dominated by barnacles, Mytilus spp.; green mussel, Perna viridis; polychaetes and other tubeworms. An analysis revealed that most of the marine bacteria are of anthropogenic origin. The stone crab Menippe mercenaria is reported as a macrofouler for the first time.

Keywords

Biofilm, Biofouling Organisms, Marine Boats, Antifouling.

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C. Ganga Baheerathi ¹, K. Revathi ²

Affiliations
1 Sathyabama University, Chennai, T. N., IN
2 Department of Zoology, Ethiraj College for Women, Chennai, T. N., IN

Abstract

Vibrios contribute the major part among water and foodborne pathogens in coastal ecosystems. The members of the family Vibrionaceae contribute 60% of the total bacterial population. The current work is aimed at the analysis of the presences of Vibrio species in edible oyster Crassostrea madrasensis along the coastal line of Chennai in Ennore, Royapuram and Muttukadu. The oysters were collected, and total heterotrophic bacteria were analysed using selective non-selective agar medium and further confirmed by biochemical tests. The predominant pathogenic halophilic Vibrio species were identified to generic level according to Bergey's Manual of Systematic Bacteriology. Among the Vibrios, Vibrio alginolyticus, V. parahaemolyticus and V. harveyi were the dominant species identified in Crassostrea madrasensis.

Keywords

Coastal Ecosystems, Halophilic Vibrios, Crassostrea madrasensis.

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V. Gayathri ¹, K. Revathi ²

Affiliations
1 Sathyabama University, Chennai-600 119, T. N., IN
2 Ethiraj College for Women, Egmore, Chennai-600 008, T. N., IN

Abstract

The objective of this study is to comparatively analyse and assess the heavy metal pollution in coastal areas of Ennore and Royapuram, Tamilnadu, India. Ennore coast receives untreated/treated effluents from Manali Industrial belt, which houses many chemical Industries. Royapuram mainly receives domestic sewage. Analyses of water and mussel samples were done by ICP-AES. During summer all the dissolved heavy metals exhibited maximum values. The result shows that concentrations of copper, cadmium, zinc and lead were above the permissible limits.

Keywords

Heavy Metals, Estuaries, Green Mussel, Pernaviridis.

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