In this issue:

RESEARCH ARTICLES

• Effect of Pollutants on Biochemical Profile and Population Dynamics of Zooplankton
  Authors:1Padaya Madhuri and 2Hambarde Madhuri

Abstract : Ocean is considered as the most stable ecosystem pertaining to its vast body, various currents, its physical and chemical phenomenon and self-sustainability. For centuries ocean owned a great buffering system resisting any change in its profile. However humans have managed to exhaust this ability of oceans by endlessly polluting it and hence the changes in the physical and chemical characteristic of ocean are now very prominent. There is enormous scientific literature which asserts the negative impact of pollutants on marine life. Zooplanktons and phytoplanktons marks the beginning of aquatic food web hence any change at this level will be significantly seen on the higher trophic level due to the phenomenon of bioaccumulation and biomagnificiation. The following review deals with the effect of various physical and chemical parameters such as temperature, UV radiation, pesticides, fertilizers, petroleum and its derivatives, plastic, metals and heavy metals etc. on numerous characteristics of sea water. These changes consequently affect the biochemical profile of planktons, the mechanism of which has been further discussed in this review.

• A Review on Household’s Carbon Dioxide Emission of Municipalities
  Authors:Sumita Nair1, Madhu Chandrakar2

Abstract : The major issue of today’s era is to combat global warming and conserve environment. The emissions of different greenhouse gases from sources are major cause of concern. Municipalities are considered as one of the main sources of carbon emission of the countries and also the key area of emission reduction potential. India is the second largest in population, fourth largest in energy consumption and third largest in greenhouse producer and burns ten folds fuel wood as compare to United State. By adopting carbon emission reduction practices, carbon credits can be earned which can be traded in international market. This study of carbon dioxide emission of municipalities suggests that the emission reduction policies of municipalities can earn carbon credits for countries. In these emission reduction practices Household’s emissions can play important role because it accounts for about 78 % of the total emission. To reduce carbon emission of countries, carbon emission reduction strategies can be adopted and in these considerations the household activities are the major cause of concern. Electricity, gas use, transportation, food etc. are the major carbon emission contributors and nevertheless these can be served as the major carbon emission reduction activities. Present study suggests that the reduction in household emissions can result in achieving the carbon emission reduction target of country. Few data from studies on emission reduction policies facilitates the future scope and need of household carbon emission of municipalities study.

• Brassica Oleracea Botrylis Leaves (BOBL) Powder as Bioadsorbent to Remove Ni (II) Ions from Wastewater: Kinetic, Isotherm and Thermodynamic Studies
  Authors:R. Vashantha*, Jeyavathana Samuel and M. Vincy Amutha Snolin

Abstract : Removal of Ni(II) ions from aqueous solution was carried out using brassica oleracea botrylis leaves (cauliflower leaves) and was characterized by SEM, XRD and EDAX techniques. The effect of solution pH, contact time, initial metal ion concentration and temperature was investigated in a systematic manner. Various thermodynamic parameters such as ∆G°, ∆H° and ∆S° have also been evaluated and it has been found that the adsorption process was spontaneous, endothermic and randomness in nature. The equilibrium data were analyzed by using Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin and D-R isotherm models. Among these isotherm models Freundlich model was fitted well with its good correlation coefficient. The experimental data were analyzed by kinetic parameters such as Lagergen pseudo-first order and pseudo-second order models and found that the biosorption of Ni(II) followed pseudo-second order model by its good correlation coefficient values which are very close to unity. Desorption and recovery of the adsorbent was found that 12%. The results concluded that the BOBL powder was an efficient, eco-friendly and economically cheap adsorbent in the removal of Ni(II) ions from the aqueous solution.

• Study of Physicochemical Parameters to Determine the Limnology of Lake, Located in Thane
  Authors:Nandita Singh

Abstract : Study was done to determine the levels of chlorophyll-a and dissolved oxygen in lake Varhala of Thane district. The parameters that determine the levels of chlorophyll-a and DO like pH, temperature, and nitrate were also estimated. These results could help to understand the lake ecosystem and help predict the lake limnology.

• Isolation and Characterization by Infrared Spectroscopy of Extracted Dye from the Petals of Magnolia champaka
  Authors:Nikhila Rane 1 and Kavita Patil 2

Abstract : An increased interest for natural pigments started several years ago on the consumers is just beginning to be felt. This paper concerns with the development of process for the isolation of natural dye extracted from the flowers of Magnolia Champaka which is available almost everywhere in India. In India traditionally some plants were used for dyeing the fabrics. According to the dye yield and fastness properties the plant was chosen for fabric dyeing. So for the current need we have chosen the flowers of Magnolia champaka to obtain the dye. To get this dye we have carried out different extraction methods Viz Aqueous extraction, Acid extraction, alkaline extraction, Solvent extraction, Soxhlet Method and obtained dye were characterized and confirmed the functional group of Luteolin and Tannin by Infrared Spectroscopy. The chemicals used to produce dyes today are often highly toxic and carcinogenic. Thus use of natural dyes has increased several folds in the past few years. The study concerns with the extraction of natural dye from flowers of Magnolia Champaka. Indian women ornament their hair with these flowers, devotees offer flowers to God and Goddesses. Afterwards these flowers are thrown but same can be used for dye extraction.