Informatics Publishing Limited

S. Kundu ¹, M. Vassanda Coumar ¹, S. Rajendiran ¹, Ajay ¹, A. Subba Rao ¹

Affiliations
1 Indian Institute of Soil Science, Nabibagh, Berasia Road, Bhopal 462 038, IN

Abstract

Eutrophication, regarded as the most immediate environmental consequence of extensive phosphorus usage in contemporary societies, has received wide attention. If the current level of human-induced global environmental impacts continues, there is a chance of occurrence of nearly 2.4-2.7-fold increase in nitrogen and phosphorus driven eutrophication of terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems in the near future. The main sources of phosphate in aquatic environment, is through household sewage water containing detergents and cleaning preparations, agricultural run-off containing fertilizers, as well as, industrial effluents from fertilizer, detergent and soap industries. The consumption of synthetic detergents is increasing year-by-year due to increasing urbanization and most of them contain phosphate as a 'builder', which increases phosphate loading rates in water bodies. The estimated annual consumption of phosphate-containing laundry detergents for the current population in India is about 2.88 million tonnes and the total outflow of P is estimated to be 146 thousand tonnes per year. Therefore, a major point of concern for checking eutrophication of water bodies, particularly in sensitive areas, is how to reduce P inputs to surface waters.

Keywords

Aquatic Ecosystem, Detergents, Eutrophication, Phosphate Loading.

Full Text

   

Javeed Ahmad Lone ¹, Farooq Ahmad Lone ¹, Ajay ², S. Kundu ²

Affiliations
1 Division of Environmental Science, Sheri-Kashmir University of Agricultural Science & Technology of Kashmir, Shalimar, Srinagar-191 121, J&K, IN
2 Division of Environmental Soil Science, Indian Institute of Soil Science, Bhopal-462 038, M. P., IN

Abstract

Domestic detergents carried by the urban wastewater normally accumulate in the surface water bodies in most of the Indian cities. One of the major chemical components of these detergents is linear alkyl benzene sulphonate (LAS) and its accumulation in water bodies may become toxic to aquatic flora and fauna. In the present study, the growth of a Cyanobacterium Spirulina platensis, generally used as a nutraceutical source of protein, was studied in CFTRI medium spiked with 5 levels of LAS (2, 4, 6, 8, 10 ppm). The growth of Spirulina gradually increased and became maximum at 6 ppm of LAS beyond which there was a gradual decline with the minimum growth recorded at 10ppm level. At 6 ppm level of LAS, maximum biomass yield (109.5 mg/50mL), protein (587.5 μg/mL) and nitrate reductase activity (79.2 NR μM NO₂ /hr/g FW) were observed. Maximum content of chlorophyll-a (4.324 mg/g FW) and carotenoid (0.451 mg/g FW) were observed at 4 ppm level of LAS. The results thus, showed that Spirulina platensis is able to tolerate up to 6ppm of LAS in wastewater bodies.

Keywords

Detergents, Linear Alkyl Benzene, Sulphonate (LAS), Spirulina platensis, Photosynthetic Pigment.

Full Text

   

P. Dogra , Purnima , J. Sharma , N. Sharma , Ajay , P. Sharma

Abstract

.

Full Text