International Letters of Natural Sciences Vol. 74

Abstract: The field experiment was conducted in split design with three replicates in Arunagirimangalam village, Thiruvanamalai District to study the effect of groundnut haulm compost of single and combined inoculation of FYM, different biofertilizers (Azotobacter, Azospirillum, Phosphobacteria, Rhizobium) on growth, photosynthetic pigments, biochemical properties and yield of Arachis hypogeae L. The results of this experiment revealed that groundnut haulm with combined inoculation of biofertilizers significantly increased growth, photosynthetic pigments, biochemical and yield parameters of the test crop. Among various combinations, single inoculums of groundnut haulm performed better than control while groundnut haulm with combined inoculation of Rhizobium found better over single inoculation treatments. In general, it could be concluded that groundnut haulm compost and mixed with Rhizobium may be a good tool to improve the crop yield productivity and quantity and soil health.

Abstract: The bays of Skikda and Jijel present an ecosystem of great biological diversity and a significant economic interest (fishing and trading ports, industrial zones and tourism). They are threatened by the inputs of industrial effluents that are loaded with different substances, especially heavy metals. These pollutants have the distinction of being toxic and non-biodegradable, they accumulate in the different levels of the food chain which represents a danger for human health. The present work aimed to evaluate the impact of metal pollution in both bays via the study of the bioaccumulation of heavy metals namely, cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) in red mullet Mullus barbatus Linnaeus, 1758. Forty two (42) fish samples were obtained from 4 sites, 2 from bays of Skikda and 2 from bays of Jijel. After preparation, lyophilisation and mineralisation, samples were analysed by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) for detection of Cd and Pb concentrations in µg/g of dry weights. Lead has reached the values of 141.666±5.238 and 89±3.464 µg/g in Skikda sites and 20±1.527 and 10±0.577 µg/g in Jijel sites, while Cd has reached 0.76±0.023 and 0.3±0.011 µg/g in Skikda, with lowest values in Jijel 0.116±0.008 and 0.1±0.005 µg/g. The highest levels were recorded in the areas that are subject to anthropogenic pollution, namely the port areas and the oil industry (Skikda bays). While the low concentrations were found in less polluted areas like Jijel bays. The results obtained in this study are alarming and reflect significant level of pollution especially in the bays of Skikda. Preventive and remedial measures and awareness raising are needed.

Abstract: The quality of the surface water (rivers) around Warri metropolis was evaluated using Water Quality Index (WQI) techniques. The study was carried out to assess the suitability of the water samples collected from different river bodies’ around Warri metropolis. The water quality index (WQI) was determined based on their various physico-chemical parameters such as pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, electrical conductivity, total dissolves solids, total suspended solids, sulphates, nitrates, phosphates, chlorides, turbidity, biochemical oxygen demanded. The water quality indexes values obtained varied greatly from 110.12 to 821.5. The result is quite high due to high turbidity (9mg/l – 119mg/l) and total suspended solid (10mg/l – 124mg/l). The presence of faecal coliform in the various water bodies is very alarming which ranges from 2 – 16 cfu against the stated standard of nil by most regulatory agencies and as such may pose detrimental health effect when consumed by individuals within those areas if not properly treated. This may be due to poor waste management practice along the rivers course. To avert this process, effective waste management and control along the water course should be encouraged.

Abstract: Constructed wetlands are ecofriendly, cost effective technology involved in treatment of wastewaters. The goal of this study is focused on characterization of microbial community existing in constructed wetland system planted with Cyperus alternifolius treating sewage contaminated with heavy metals. The characteristics of effluent met the standards of discharge for inland use and irrigation. Microbes in constructed wetland apparently play a pivotal role in the efficiency of system for removal of organics, nutrients, suspended solids and heavy metal. To expose the active players in the lime light, a representative soil sample from the reed bed was collected and characterized for microbial community analysis. Metagenomic studies of the bacterial and fungal flora were identified. Results revealed that the phylum Proteobacteria (38.27%) and Ascomycota (77.47%) dominated in the bacterial and fungal kingdom respectively. However, in the bacterial kingdom at species level major portion remain unclassified except Pseudomonas alcaligenes but in the fungal kingdom at species level only 3.1% remain unclassified. The role of bacteria in wastewater treatment is exemplified in previous reports but the role of fungi in wastewater system needs exploration. However, the findings reveal that the identified microbes might have definitely played a vital role in wastewater treatment. The database available for the identification of bacterial species remain undiscovered for a major portion and requires up gradation. Next generation sequence being a high end technology in microbial ecology decodes the entire community in environmental samples but lack of database limits the identification. Implementation of improvements in the paucity of data bases is essential.

Abstract: Some of the practical implications of the previously identified geographic patterns linking climate rate of surface temperature with the fractal dimension of a multi-year series of runoff, are presented. The statistical data, showing a role of coefficient of kurtosis at classification of distributions of density of probability in a range of air temperatures from –5 to 27 degrees Celsius are given. It is empirically established that statistical distributions of long-term average annual runoff series for the temperature zone with prevailing high values of the fractal dimension correspond to beta-distributions of type II and when plotted on the K. Pearson diagram this type is distinguished from probability density curves in other temperature zones by kurtosis (statistically significant). It is revealed that ignoring the coefficient of kurtosis means not taking into account the climatic component of natural resources. The results of the study can be used to assess the reliability of hydraulic structures and in the field of water management.