Informatics Publishing Limited

Muhammad Uzair Khan ¹, Kanwal Nazim ², Moinuddin Ahmed ¹, Syed Shahid Shaukat ³, Sikander Khan Sherwani ⁴

Affiliations
1 Marine Reference Collection and Resource Center,University of Karachi,Pakistan
2 Marine Reference Collection and Resource Centre, University of Karachi, Pakistan
3 Laboratory of Dendrochronology and Plant Ecology, Department of Botany, Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science & Technology Karachi, Pakistan
4 Department of Microbiology, Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science & Technology Karachi, Pakistan

Abstract

The Various industrial wastes contain organic matter and some essential nutrients which are needed for the normal plant growth. This study evaluates the effects of biological recycling of fiber industry sludge and its ash in different concentrations i.e. sludge 25 and 50g/6kg and ash 25 and 50g/6kg of some plants. Seed germination, seedling growth, survival, and dry weight of shoots and ischolar_mains of three test species: Zea mays and Phaseolus lanatus (crop species) and Trifolium alexandrianum L. (fodder species) were observed. Heavy metal accumulation in soil and plant dry biomass was also analyzed. The results showed that plant species responded differently in different treatments. The results of ANOVA described that the seed germination and other growth parameters of all species were significantly suppressed at 50 g ash treatment. The highly sensitive response of shoot and ischolar_main growth was determined in P.lanatus. However, dry weights of shoots and ischolar_mains of T.alexandrianum were significantly reduced in all treatments. The analysis of heavy metals showed significantly high concentration in soil (P<0.001), while the accumulation of heavy metals in plants' dry biomass was also significantly different among treatments. It is highly recommended that industrial sludge and ashes must be properly checked before applying in any crop field as organic substitute. This study provides crucial information regarding quality and quantity of nutrients necessary prior to suggesting the suitability of an industrial waste as a fertilizer.

Keywords

Fiber Industry Sludge ,ash,plant Species

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Muhammad Uzair Khanj ¹, Kanwal Nazim ¹, Moinuddin Ahmed ², Syed Shahid Shaukat ²

Affiliations
1 Marine Reference Collection and Resource Centre, University of Karachi, PK
2 Laboratory of Dendrochronology and Plant Ecology Department of Botany and Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Karachi, PK

Abstract

One of the recent trends in waste management is to recycle the industrial waste for useable products. For this purpose fiber, chemical and marble industrial wastes were used to investigate the potential of these wastes for conventional block making. The effects of industrial wastes in concrete blocks were pragmatic. The concentrations of heavy metals Co, Mn, Fe, Zn and Pb in both sludge-ashes and marble waste powder have been analyzed. The physical properties of blocks including weight, density, specific gravity, compressive strengths and percentage of water absorption were examined. As a second part of experiment leachate was obtained after soaking the blocks in distilled water for 24 hours. The physical parameters of water (leachate) such as color, pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, salinity and dissolved oxygen were determined by Sension 105 multiparameter while above mentioned heavy metals were analyzed by Atomic absorption spectrophotometer (model PG 990) to check the possible water contamination by heavy metals during the rainy season due to any seepage. Significantly higher compressive strengths 14.48 ± 0.7 N/rnm2, 13.5 ± 0.4 N/mm2 and 12.53 ± 0.16 N/mm2 were recorded in M8a, F2a and M7a respectively. Fiber industry sludge-ash and marble waste powder have potential in terms of cohesive properties in the preparation ofblocks. These light weight blocks were found more durable; absorb lesser amount of water and more cheaper/economic as compared to standard commercial construction blocks available in the market. It is concluded that these blocks are not only stronger than available commercial blocks but environmentally safe to be used in roads, buildings construction, boundary walls, filling material etc.

Keywords

Industrial Waste, Construction Blocks

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Syed Shahid Shaukat ¹, Kanwal Nazim ², Muhammad Uzair Khan ², Qadeer Muhammad Ali ², Moinuddin Ahmed ³

Affiliations
1 Institute of Environmental Studies, University of Karachi, PK
2 Marine Reference Collection and Resource Centre, University of Karachi, PK
3 Laboratory of Dendrochronology and Plant Ecology, Department of Botany Federal Urdu University Karachi, PK

Abstract

Mangrove cover along the coast of Pakistan is decreasing day by day due to various disturbances particularly harvesting and cutting. Therefore, there is a need to observe changes in population of mangrove with known and unknown disturbance history. The present study deals with the population structure and dynamics of a dominant mangrove species Avicennia marina with a complete life table from seedling to mature trees in Pakistani coast. The causes and factors for the variation in six stages were also determined that predict the population structure after small and large scale disturbances. The survival (lx) of individuals of A. marina showed a gradual decline from seedling to mature trees at all locations. However, there was a rapid decline from seedling to juvenile stages at all sites. In disturbed stands population of seedlings showed lesser density compared to undisturbed areas. It is hoped that this study will help in the management and conservation planning of mangrove forests at the coastal areas of Pakistan.

Keywords

Population Structure, Avicennia marina, Life Table, Survival (lx), Juvenile

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Kanwal Nazim ¹, Paras Siddiqui ², Qadeer Muhammad Ali ¹, Muhammad Uzair Khan ¹, Moinuddin Ahmed ³, Rahmatullah Jillani ², Siraj Munir ²

Affiliations
1 Marine Reference Collection and Resource Center (MRCC), University of Karachi, Karachi, PK
2 Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), Karachi, PK
3 Laboratory of Dendrochronology and Plant Ecology, Department of Botany, Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science and Technology, Karachi, PK

Abstract

During the past few years, the increasing pressure of anthropogenic activities along the shoreline of Pakistan (i.e. Machar colony) led to the clearing of habitats for the construction of houses and industrial development. In this study Remote Sensing Technique is used to evaluate this loss and assess the change in mangrove habitats within Machar colony. The main objective of the study is to evaluate the impact resulting from human development on the mangrove distribution in the study area. A field work is carried out to observe the actual situation while satellite images are processed on temporal basis to visualize the synoptic view of the situation. Furthermore the physico-chemical analysis of soil and leaves is also carried out to determine the pollution status on the site. Change detection is applied and mangrove in the study area is found a decrease of about 16% from 2006 to 2012. It is concluded that the cutting of mangrove and encroachment are the main factors in destroying mangrove trees from this area. From physio-chemical analysis it was concluded that polluted waste water in this colony nourishing mangrove plants instead of harming while the only factor involved in destroying of mangrove is encroachment.

Keywords

Mangrove Forest, Satellite Images

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Rubina Perween ¹, Nida Afroz ², Toqeer Ahmed Rao ³, Muhammad Uzair Khan ⁴, Kanwal Nazim ⁴, Atia Naeem ⁵

Affiliations
1 Department of Chemistry, Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science and Technology, Karachi, PK
2 Centre of Excellence Marine Biology, University of Karachi, Karachi, PK
3 Department of Botany, Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science and Technology, Karachi, PK
4 Marine Reference Collection Center, University of Karachi, Karachi, PK
5 Department of Microbiology, Federal Urdu University of Arts Science and Technology, Karachi, PK

Abstract

This work was conducted to investigate microbiological studies including fungal isolation and total bacterial count in fresh bovine milk samples available in District East of Karachi division. Sampling was done in morning period in the months of November and December. Potato dextrose agar (PDA) and Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA) were used for fungal assessment while nutrient agar for bacterial counts. The mycobiota comprised of eleven fungal spp. (Aspergillus candidus, A. clavatus, A. flavus, A. fumigatus, A. niger, A. terreus, Mucor recemosus, M. muceda, Penicillium notatum, Pythium indosium and Rhizopus insidosium) while Aspergillus flavus(65 %) and A. niger (80%) exposed the highest frequency of occurrence. The range of bacterial counts was recorded as 0.2 X 106 12.2 X 106cfu ml-1 and results were compared with literature values and guidelines of American Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Keywords

Biodiversity of Microbes, Bovine Milk Vend.

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Shaheena Arshad Khan ¹, Kanwal Nazim ¹, Muhammad Abid ¹, Muhammad Uzair Khan ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Botany, Federal Urdu University of Arts, Sciences and Technology, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Karachi, PK

Abstract

Most of the agricultural countries are undergoing in pathogenic problems. Seaweeds have potential to produce a variety of bioactive compounds against pathogenic microorganisms. So, this review article will provide knowledge for the screening of seaweeds and their fungicidal/ nematicidal activities against soil born plant pathogens.

Keywords

Fungicidal, Nematicidal, Soil-Borne, Seaweeds.

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