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1. Electronic Journal of Environmental Sciences Vol. 7, 1-7 (2014)
In situ and experimental studies on the industrial pollution induced alterations in the organs of fishes
Vachhrajani, K.D. and Verma, S.
Division of Environment and Toxicology, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara 390002, Gujarat. E. mail: kauresh@gmail.com,
Abstract: Studies were carried out to compare in situ and experimental exposure to industrial pollutants on the status of oxidative stress generation and structure of liver, muscle and gills of fish. The fishes, Tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus Peters 1852), length 15-18cm (weight 26-32g), collected from non polluted pond site, Dumad, were exposed to 10 and 20 % of industrial effluent, collected from the discharge point of CETP, Undera of Vadodara industrial area, in standard lab conditions. For insitu studies Tilapia of similar weight group were collected from polluted site, Koyali pond, located within the industrial area and brought to laboratory for studies without any further experimental exposure. Histological findings indicated prominent damage at higher exposure doses in all the tissues studied. The fishes of Koyali pond also showed structural damage comparable to those noted following high dose experimental exposure. The metabolic and oxidative stress indicator parameters were least affected by day 7 but by day 30 in the high dose exposure group and in the in situ exposed fishes the changes were significant. Among the heavy metals, cadmium, lead and copper accumulated in the fish tissues both in the 30 day high dose experimental and in situ exposure groups. Present studies suggested that at the polluted site, the continuous long term exposure may lead to patho-physiological alterations in fishes or other edible organisms which may be of people’s health concern.
Key words: Industrial pollution, Fish toxicology, Liver, Gill, Muscle
2.Electronic Journal of Environmental Sciences Vol. 7, 9-12 (2014)
Significance of soil quality for urban water sheets
Parikh, A. N. and Mankodi, P. C.
Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, The M. S. University of Baroda, Vadodara 390002, Gujarat. E. mail: pcmankodi@yahoo.com
Abstract: Soil is one of the most important components of aquatic ecosystem. It provides nutrition as well as substratum to the aquatic organisms. The depletion in soil quality may be due to the influence of anthropogenic activities around the water sheets. The present study deals with the assessment of soil quality of the urban ponds at Vadodara city (Gujarat) during year 2008-2009. Data collected for various parameters of soil quality samples from three different site of Sama pond as well as from Harni pond were presented here. The pH of the soil remained to be alkaline at both Sama and Harni ponds. Approximate average of 60% water retention capacity was observed for all the sites of Sama pond as well as at Harni pond. However, during July and January the organic content remained high at Sama pond. Site-1 of Sama pond has comparatively less organic matter content throughout the year averaging at 10.25 mg ± 3.92 mg. At site-2 and site-3 a marginal higher content was recorded with high deviation during entire year. Increasing trend was observed for organic matter at Harni pond. It was highest during winter months and lowest value during monsoon months. Total phosphorous content at Sama pond was very low for all the sites as well as throughout the year. Such soil quality variations may be due the anthropogenic activities associated with the ponds.
Key words: Soil quality, Anthropogenic activities, Sama pond, Harni pond.
3.Electronic Journal of Environmental Sciences Vol. 7, 13-18 (2014)
Benthic associates of zoanthids on intertidal zone of Saurashtra coast, Gujarat
Pandya Khushali, M., Sarma Kangkan Jyoti, Meenu Kumari, Upadhyay Kapil and Mankodi. P. C.
Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, The M. S. University of Baroda, Vadodara-390002
E. mail: pcmankodi@yahoo.com
Abstract: The current paper deals with the diversity of fauna associated with zoanthids. Organisms like corals, sponges, tube worms, nematodes and zoanthids are found occupying same niche and therefore space competition is observed. Molluscs, although motile, are found within the Zoanthid colony for food and shelter. At the rocky intertidal area of Saurashtra coast, four sites viz., Veraval, Sutrapada, Okha and Dwarka were studied to observe the associated fauna of zoanthids. The observation revealed that though zoanthids and associated organisms are related to each otherand are very much found sharing the same niche. Most of the associated faunabelonged to the phylum Molluscs (48%) and Arthropods, however, Annelids, Pisces were also observed.
Key words: Zoanthids, Benthic fauna, Saurashtra coast.
4.Electronic Journal of Environmental Sciences Vol. 7, 19-25 (2014)
Impact of petroleum hydrocarbons on the community structure of plankton in the coastal waters of Saurashtra (Gujarat, India)
Nair, A., Desai, I. and Suresh B.
Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda,
Vadodara – 390 002L E. mail: suved9@hotmail.com
Abstract: The degree of Petroleum hydrocarbon contamination has been studied and its impacts on the community structure of plankton from the intertidal zone of three study stations of the Saurashtra coast was analyzed. The water samples were tested for petroleum hydrocarbons and biochemical oxygen demand by employing the partition gravimetric method and five day BOD test respectively. Independent group analysis of variance was performed to test the difference between the means for all the parameters. The relative contamination levels were also assessed at the study stations. We observed temporal variation in the PHCs and BOD values in all the stations and as expected the values were found high for Alang Sosiyo and Veraval. It was observed that higher concentration of PHCs in the coastal waters seems to impart its adverse affect on growth of the phytoplankton and zooplankton population as evidenced by the low diversity values observes at Veraval and Alang. Moreover, at Alang Sosiyo, the contamination by petroleum hydrocarbon was found to adversely influence the plankton community as exemplified by the results of Tukey’s honest significant difference test. However, since several macro-plankton are known to adapt well to change in environment, further long term follow-up studies need to be conducted to consolidate the present notion.
Key words: Petroleum hydrocarbons, Plankton, Coastal waters, Saurashtra
5.Electronic Journal of Environmental Sciences Vol. 7, 27-36 (2014)
Species richness of Sauria in Gujarat with a taxonomic key to the identification of their families and species
Patankar, P., Singh, A.P., Desai, I. and Suresh, B.
Gujarat Biodiversity Board, B-Wing, 5th Floor, Aranya Bhavan, Sector 10-A, Gandhinagar – 380 010
The M. S. University of Baroda, Vadodara – 390 002. E. mail: suved9@hotmail.com
Abstract: Lizards are the most numerous amongst all the extant reptiles. They occupy almost all landmasses except Antarctica and some Arctic regions of North America, Europe and Asia. The group’s existence dates back to about 140 million years ago when fewer than 800 species of dinosaurs existed, as compared to 4,300 extant lizard species and numerous fossil forms available today. Therefore, it may be said that more than 95 percent of living reptiles are the descendants of the early lizards. Herpetologists worldwide have attempted to evaluate the species richness of lizards. Literature review revealed significant contributions from many herpetologists across the globe, since the nineteenth century. A scan through the literature reveals that sufficient data is available for the Saurian diversity from the South Asia but for India. Moreover, the information on taxonomic, ecological and behavioural studies on reptiles from the western part of India, especially from Gujarat is increasingly rare. Taxonomic compilations done so far by various workers for the state of Gujarat depicted occurrence of 39 species of lizards in Gujarat. However, in the current study we recorded only 30 species of lizard, thus warrant a thorough validation of ancient records. Furthermore, even though lizards are the most common human commensal reptiles, no taxonomic key was available for the identification of the species occurring in Gujarat. Therefore, a taxonomic key for the identification of lizard families and species occurring within the state of Gujarat was also attempted.
Key words: Taxonomic key, Lizards, Sauria, Diversity, Checklist
6.Electronic Journal of Environmental Sciences Vol. 7, 37-44 (2014)
Harvesting and economics of bivalve molluscs from Bhatye estuary, Ratnagiri, Maharashtra state
Lagade, V. M. and Muley, D. V.
Department of Zoology, Shri Yeshwantrao Patil Science Mahavidyalaya, Solankur,
Radhanagari, Kolhapur 416 212. E-mail: vmlagade47@rediffmail.com, Cell: 09689033112
Abstract: The estuarine ecosystems are considered as best breeding, feeding and nursery grounds for variety of finfishes and shellfishes. The present investigation was undertaken to study the commercial harvesting and economics of edible bivalve molluscs during 2009-2012 from Bhatye estuary, Ratnagiri. In Bhatye estuary, the fisher communities gather on large scale and harvest the molluscs species. Three types of bivalve fisheries such as clam fishery, oyster fishery and mussel fishery has been carried out in Bhatye estuary. Fishers harvest bivalve species from three major families such as Veneridae, Ostreidae and Mytilidae. Total eight bivalve species were harvested, amongst them five species were of clams, two species of oysters and one species of green mussel. In all the seasons, amongst total annual harvested bivalves during 2009-2012, the clam species were harvested in large quantity than oysters and mussel species. During the year 2010, the peak catch of mussel was recorded from March to April as compared to clams and oysters. The highest revenue was received from clam species than oysters and mussels. These results reveal that, the Bhatye estuary is very productive for molluscs species and this bivalve resource was exploited on large scale due to their high food and economic value.
Keywords: Clams, Oysters, Mussels, Harvesting and Economics.
7.Electronic Journal of Environmental Sciences Vol. 7, 45-50 (2014)
Preliminary survey of anthropogenic activities along Bhatye estuary, Ratnagiri ,Maharashtra State
Taware S. S., Lagade V. M. and Muley, D. V.
Department of Zoology, Shivaji University, Kolhapur 416 004 (M.S.)
E. mail: vmlagade47@rediffmail.com,
Abstract: Present investigation is purely based on visual observations of different anthropogenic activities like Sewage discharge, solid wastes dumping, lime industries, road construction, Jetty construction, Fishing boat construction, cleaning and painting of fishing boats, along various sites at Bhatye estuary and its adjacent areas. Observations indicate increasing human pressure and ultimate environmental degradation of Bhatye estuary.
Keywords: Bhatye estuary, Anthropogenic activity,
8.Electronic Journal of Environmental Sciences Vol. 7, 51-55 (2014)
Comparative assessment of triadimefon, chlorpromazine, DDT and carbaryl for neurobehavioral and motor functions in rat
Patil, S.G., Padol, A.R. and Balakrishna Murthy, P.
Department of Toxicology, International Institute of Biotechnology and Toxicology (IIBAT),
Padappai 601301, Tamil Nadu. E. mail: patil.satyajit@rediffmail.com
Abstract: Neurotoxic effects of a chemical or combination of chemicals can be observed at various levels of organization of the nervous system, including anatomical, physiological, macromolecular or behavioural. Neurobehavioral effects include adverse changes in somatic/autonomic, sensory, motor and/or cognitive function which can be reversible or irreversible. Observational and locomotor tests to assess the behavioural and neurologic integrity have been advanced for use in the primary screening of chemicals to detect neurotoxic potential. To evaluate the use of such an approach, a functional observational battery is currently being used for safety pharmacology testing near the end of the target validation stage of preclinical drug development and to identify potential neurotoxicity of new and existing chemicals. Neurobehavioral screening tests can serve as a first tier investigation of neurotoxicity. The present study was conducted to generate data regarding the use of motor function and neurobehavioral screening methods for assessment of reliability, sensitivity and robustness of the tests to detect neurotoxic potential of chemicals.
Key words: Triadimefon, Chlorpro-Mazine, DDT, Carbaryl, Neurobehavioral effects
9.Electronic Journal of Environmental Sciences Vol. 7, 57-61 (2014)
Blood mineral profile of layers fed with nonconven-tional mineral source of sugarcane press residue
Suma, N., Venkatarami Reddy, B.S., Gloridoss, R.G., Prabhu, T.M., Suresh, B.N., Shilpa, V.T. and Manju, G.U.
Department of Animal Nutrition, Veterinary College, KVAFSU, Hassan 573 202
E. mail: sumavet@gmail.com
Abstract: Sugarcane press residue (SPR) is a soft, spongy, amorphous, dark brown to white material containing sugar, fiber, coagulated colloids and most importantly inorganic salts, which was incorporated in 32-week-old white leghorn layer feed at 0, 5, 10 and 15 per cent either in the soya based or fish based diets to form T1 to T8 diets, respectively. Each diet was offered to five replicates of four laying hens each constituting a total of one sixty birds reared for 84 days. Results revealed that the average values of serum calcium and plasma inorganic phosphorous were statistically (P>0.05) similar among all dietary groups throughout the experiment. The average serum calcium concentration (mg/dl) values ranged non significantly (P>0.05) from 16.45 (T6) to 20.12 (T2) while the plasma inorganic phosphorus concentration (mg/dl) values ranged from 5.00 (T5) to 6.56 (T3). With regard to the main factor effects, only the protein factor exerted significant influence in serum calcium level and contrarily SPR factor exerted significant (P<0.05) influence in plasma inorganic phosphorus levels. It was concluded that the SPR is a valuable source of organic as well as inorganic nutrients for economical layer production.
Key words: Layer, Sugarcane press residue, Serum calcium, Plasma inorganic phosphorus.
10. Electronic Journal of Environmental Sciences Vol. 7, 63-66 (2014)
Supplementation of sugarcane press residue in soya and fish based diets of layers to influence egg characteristics
Suma, N., Venkatarami Reddy, B.S., Gloridoss, R.G., Prabhu, T.M., Suresh, B.N., Basavanta Kumar, C. and Guruprasad, R.
Department of Animal Nutrition, Veterinary College, KVAFSU, Hassan- 573 202.
E. mail: sumavet@gmail.com
Abstract: Sugarcane press residue (SPR) constitutes about three percent of the crushed sugarcane from sugar industries is a valuable source of minerals as well as organic matter. A biological trail was conducted in 160 white leg horn hens of 32-week old to assess the beneficial effect of sugarcane press residue (SPR) in soya and fish based diets on egg quality characteristics. Two control diets for both soya (T1) and fish based (T5) test diets were formulated, while the SPR was included at three levels (5%, 10% and 15%) in test diets of both soya based (T2 to T4) and fish based (T6 to T8) types to form a total of eight treatments. Each of such formulated diets was offered to five replicates of four birds each reared in colony cages for a period of twelve weeks. Among the egg characteristics studied, SPR level as well as protein source showed non-significant differences in egg weights during all the periods. Whereas, the egg shape index values with reference to the SPR level ranged from as low as 76.90 (15% SPR group) to as high as 77.35 (10% SPR group) on the 84th day of the experiment. While, none of the two main factors exerted any significant influence on albumen index is concerned. From these different egg parameters studied, it can be concluded that SPR appears to be a valuable source of nutrients in both soya and fish based diets for layer production.
Key words: Sugarcane press residue, Egg shape index
11. Electronic Journal of Environmental Sciences Vol. 7, 67-71 (2014)
Response of exogenous abscisic acid on photosynthesis in contrasting rice genotypes under salinity shock
Kalariya, K A., Shah, R R. and Mahatma, M.K.
Department of Agricultural Botany, Directorate of Groundnut Research, Junagadh 362001, Gujarat.
E. mail: maheshmahatma@gmail.com,
Abstract: Various physiological parameters were studied to assess the effects of abscisic acid (ABA 0.1 mM) as foliar spray in combination with various salt treatments for 72 h at flowering stage in contrasting rice cultivars. Salinity shock with 300 mM NaCl has reduced RWC, total chlorophyll content, net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance and transpiration rate but, increased total carotenoids content. Salinity shock with 200 mM NaCl was statistically at par with 300 mM NaCl for most of the parameters studied. All the rice varieties responded to ABA treatment in the way similar to salt stress for the photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance and transpiration rate and 0.1 mM ABA spray showed its highest influence on physiological parameters when incorporated with the highest salinity level.
Key words: Rice genotypes, Salinity
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