Nature Environment and Pollution Technology

B. S. Anupama ¹, N. Nandini ², S. K. Sarangi ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Bangalore University, Bangalore-560 056, Karnataka, IN
2 Department of Environmental Science, Bangalore University, Bangalore-560 056, Karnataka, IN

Abstract

In the present study an attempt has been made to enrich and isolate bacterial species capable of degrading endosulfan isomers from different soil habitats. The two potent isolates showed about 51% endosulfan degradation during first eight days of incubation. However, the degradation reached between 63-82% after 16 days of incubation. Further, the degradation of the insecticide increased concomitantly with the growth of the bacteria at pH 8.0 and at 30°C. The results suggest that these novel strains could be used as potent agents for biodegradation of endosulfan pesticides.

Keywords

Endosulfan, Biodegradation, Soil Bacteria.

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Pavithra S. Reddy ¹, N. Nandini ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Environmental Science, Bangalore University, Bangalore-560 056, Karnataka, IN

Abstract

Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) generation, treatment and disposal are, both economic and environmental problem of concern, for the urban communities, especially in fast population exploding countries like India. The insanitary methods adopted for disposal of solid wastes are, therefore, a serious health concern. The poorly maintained landfill sites are prone to groundwater contamination because of leachate production. The leachate from the dump is allowed to stagnate in a ditch next to the dump and slowly finds its way into surface and groundwater aquifers. The present work aims to determine the effects of solid waste on groundwater quality those close to refuse dumps sited within and around Mavallipura in Bangalore city. Over the years all drinking water sources in the vicinity have been adversely affected, and the threat looms large of contaminating the groundwater, which is the major source of drinking water.

Keywords

Solid Waste Landfill, Leachate, Groundwater Pollution.

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Abdul Khayum ¹, N. Nandini ¹, R. Durgesh ¹, Pavithra S. Reddy ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Environmental Science, J.B. Campus, Bangalore University, Bangalore-560 056, Karnataka, IN

Abstract

Water of good drinking quality is of basic importance to human physiology, and man's continued existence depends very much on its availability. The concentrations of most of the investigated parameters in the drinking water samples from Bangalore south central zone were within the permissible limits of drinking water quality standards and guidelines. The samples S1, S4, S10, S12 and S15 have electrical conductivity above the limit.

Keywords

Drinking Water Standards, Drinking Water Quality, Bangalore City.

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N. Nandini ¹, B. S. Anupama ¹, S. Pavithra ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Environmental Science, Bangalore University, Bangalore-560 056, Karnataka, IN

Abstract

The concept of sustainable agriculture serves a broad range of needs at the local level and is highly important for the quality of life. Agriculture systems purposefully disrupt natural systems, in an ecological sense, through patterns of human intervention. The increased consumption pattern of chemical fertilizers and chemical pesticides has led to changes in physicochemical and biological properties of soil. The chemical farming system has led to considerable loss of soil organic matter showing 0.66% when compared to natural farm soil, which shows 2.7% of organic matter. 86 mg/kg of heavy metals like chromium was detected in chemical farming, which is detrimental to the growth and development of plants.

Keywords

Sustainable Agriculture, Natural Farming, Chemical Farming, Pesticide, Fertilizers, Soil Organic Matter.

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B. Anupama ¹, Aboud S. Jumbe ¹, N. Nandini ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Environmental Science, Bangalore University, Bangalore-560 056, Karnataka, IN

Abstract

Tanks in and around urban areas of Bangalore receive considerable amount of sewage, which has caused a severe and persistent microbial pollution. The main objective of this study was to measure level of faecal contamination in Madiwala lake using different techniques of E. coli estimation. Results show that the golden green colonies of coliforms with metallic sheen showed a luxuriant growth at 35°C with M-Endo Agar (M1106) at incubation time of 24-48 hrs. The growth of both E. coli and Enterobacter aerogens using M-Endo Agar plate was also luxuriant at 35°C temperature. But E. aerogens colonies were pink and mucoid while that of E. coli varied from pink to rose-red with metallic sheen. The confirmatory test using Agar M-392 confirmed the presence of Enterococcus fecalis in yellow colour colonies at luxuriant growth of 35°C temperature. The presumptive test results of different volumes of the lake samples after 24 and 48 hours using lauryl tryptose broth indicated significant colour change, gas production, and turbidity. Confirmed results showed gas production in brilliant green using lactose bile broth at 37°C in 48 hrs. The completed result with EMB agar inoculated with positively confirmed test tube incubated at for 24 hrs at 35°C showed greenish metallic sheen colonies while the coliform colonies inoculated on Nutrient Agar slant and a broth tube incubated for 48 hrs at 35°C showed growth as observed on slant with gas production in the broth tube. Moreover, Gram staining results showed Gram negative with sporing rods in the tested samples. The MPN Index of the lake sample was found to be 38/100mL. Water is generally considered safe for drinking if it contains fewer than 4 coliforms/100 mL. It is also considered safe if it contains less than 2 Enterococcus bacteria colonies/100mL of a sample. These observations indicate that environmental status of Madiwala lake with respect to microbial pollution is continuing to deteriorate.

Keywords

Madiwala Lake, Water Quality, Faecal Contamination, E. coli, Enterococcus fecalis, Enterobacter aerogens.

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C. Bindiya ¹, Ashok D. Hanjagi ², N. Nandini ¹, Aboud S. Jumbe ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Environmental Science, Bangalore University, Bangalore-560056, Karnataka, IN
2 Department of Geography and Geoinformatics, Bangalore University, Bangalore-560056, Karnataka, IN

Abstract

An attempt was made to carry out baseline in-situ analysis of Malathalli lake. The lake falls within the Vrishabhavathi lake valley and Byramangala lake series. The catchment area of the lake is about 625ha. It is located on the western fringe of Bangalore city. Assessment of physico-chemical parameters was carried out mainly for pH, dissolved oxygen, BOD, suspended solids, total dissolved solids, alkalinity, hardness, nitrates, phosphates, sulphates, sodium, potassium, fluorides and chlorides. Malathalli is a contaminated lake with indicators of organic pollution showing highly variable sources of inputs. Dissolved oxygen is within lower limits at 3.25mg/L supporting the field observation on the dwindling fish catch in the lake. Moreover, the fish diversity is also disappearing leaving only those exotic species capable of tolerating lower DO levels. The average BOD is 6.0 mg/L. The pH is also above permissible limit at 8.9 showing alkaline nature of the lake. The total dissolved solids (TDS) were above permissible levels at 508 mg/L. For total hardness, the average was at 215.5 mg/L. Average calcium hardness was 86.6 mg/L as CaCO₃. Inorganic ions such as sodium (Na⁺), potassium (K⁺), calcium (Ca²⁺) and magnesium (Mg²⁺) have varied concentrations during the months. The maximum sodium (Na⁺) concentration was in the month of June with 400 mg/L while the lowest was in January at 95.8 mg/L. Magnesium hardness was above permissible limit at 128.8 mg/L as CaCO₃. This shows a trend in ionic imbalances through the months in the lake caused by artificial contamination. This can also be correlated with excessive presence of Mg⁺ ions at an average 31.4 mg/L. Chlorides were also above permissible level at 262 mg/L. Occurrence of hydroxide ions in natural water is very rare, but in January, hydroxide alkalinity of 3.3 mg/L as CaCO₃ was found. Sulphates (SO₄ ^2-) were with overall average range of 40.3 mg/L. For phosphates (PO₄ ^3-), the average was at 4.4 mg/L. Nitrates also were within tolerable limits of ICMR and BIS. The average nitrates concentration was at 10.9 mg/L as nitrates. However, the chloride-bicarbonate ratio of 2.2 confirms the seriousness of the status of pollution in the lake.

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