Journal of Environment and Sociobiology

Decadal Variation of Acidification of the Estuarine Water in the Indian Sundarbans

Mon, 25 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0530

Two aquatic indicators, namely, Dissolved Inorganic Carbon (DIC) and pH of the aquatic phase were monitored in 18 stations distributed in the western, central, and eastern sectors of Indian Sundarbans during May 2022. A significant spatial variation of these two parameters were observed, which is in accordance with the earlier works. The lowering of pH in all the 18 stations confirms the evidence of acidification in the estuaries of Indian Sundarbans, which may have severe implications on the molluscan community of the estuary that may disrupt the ecological balance evolved in this fragile mangrove ecosystem through the passage of evolution. However, the pace of acidification has found to be of much higher magnitude in the western and central sectors, compared to the eastern Indian Sundarbans. The abundance of halophytes in the eastern sector is the key factor behind the retarding pace of acidification.

Diversity and Seasonal Variation of Aquatic Microbes and Micro-flora of an Urban Lake of Kolkata

Bidisha Chatterjee, Arup Kumar Mitra, Sharadia Dey — Mon, 25 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0530

Rabindra Sarobar Lake is an important freshwater lentic ecosystem of city of Kolkata. This lake harbours a varied aquatic microflora and microbial community. These biota help in maintaining a balanced aquatic ecosphere. These microfloral and microbial assemblages of the lake still remained underexplored, and hence a study was carried out to work on their diversity and variation of communities in different seasons. Water samples were collected during three different seasons, namely, post-monsoon, pre-monsoon and monsoon, and these were followed by their physico-chemical and biological analysis. Biological analysis mainly included the study of culturable microbes and phytoplankton. The physico-chemical analysis revealed absence of metal toxicity and low nutrient concentration. The concentration of dissolved oxygen varied from 5.9-8.2 ppm and biological oxygen demand (BOD) from 0.8-4.4 ppm which are well within the acceptable range. But the MPN/100 ml for post-monsoon was >1600 which indicates faecal contamination. Several genera, namely, Bacillus, Escherichia, Klebsiella and Enterococcus were mainly isolated among which Bacillus was found to be the dominant genus. The probable pathogenicity of the isolated bacterial strains was evaluated using Blood agar. The haemolytic bacteria tested for antibiotic resistance exhibited antibiotic sensitivity against cefotaxime, tetracycline, co-trimoxazole and polymyxin-B selected based on their mode of action. Green algae isolated from the water samples revealed the dominance of Chlorophyceae which indicated the dissolved oxygen and BOD balance in the lentic ecosystem. The isolated fungi included pathogenic forms like Aspergillus and aquatic Mucor along with beneficial fungus like Penicillium.

Characterization of Sludge Samples from Different Msme Units in Kolkata

Dipankar Roy, Arup Kumar Mitra — Mon, 25 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0530

Industrialization and urbanization pose threat to environment for heavy metal contamination, and this has been a matter of concern of all. Heavy metals beyond the permissible limit are very hazardous for living being. Monitoring of the physico-chemical properties and heavy metal content of the sludge samples releasing from different industries which gets mixed with the soil are necessary from the public point of view. The present study consists of physicochemical properties and heavy metal content of sludge samples of different MSME in Kolkata, India. For this analysis 12 sludge samples were collected from different industries like Paint, Galvanizing, Electroplating, Tannery, etc. Physicochemical properties such as pH, Electrical conductivity, Organic carbon, Nitrogen, P₂O₅, K₂O, Cation Exchange Capacity, Moisture Content, Sulphur and Water Holding Capacity (WHC), and metals like, Chromium, Nickel, Copper, Zinc, Cadmium, Lead, Cobalt, Ferrous, Manganese, Magnesium and Calcium were analysed. It has been observed that for toxicity Chromium and Cobalt are in steady amount and must be remediated. As the sludges are good for microorganisms’ growth, the heavy metals (especially Chromium and Cobalt) should be bioremediated by growing microorganisms as microorganisms have the property to biologically remediate the heavy metals.

Quantitative Relationships Between Air Pollution and Growth of Diabetic Population in Different Countries of the World

Sourav Chowdhury, Suparna Roychowdhury, Indranath Chaudhuri — Mon, 25 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0530

Diabetes mellitus is currently a huge health hazard globally. The cases of diabetes had increased significantly in past few decades and considered to rise further in future. Diabetes relates to various factors like obesity, physical inactivity, etc., and can depend on various environmental issues. Influence of air pollution on the incidence of diabetes in population has been assessed in the paper. We have used the data for diabetic population and PM_2.5 concentrations in the air for five countries from 2010 to 2021. Here, we have studied the correlation between the diabetic cases data and PM_2.5 concentration data. Also, we have done the linear regression analysis to find whether this correlation is statistically significant.

Role of Microfinance in Women Empowerment: Causes and Implications of Paradoxical Results

Ritika Madan, Monika Goel — Mon, 25 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0530

Various microfinance schemes are being commonly used for empowering women across nations. But, the impact of these schemes on their empowerment is debatable. The benefit may be reversed in case a woman loses control over her borrowed amount. Also, to top-up what if the final responsibility to repay also lies completely with that woman. In such conditions when she is forced to work in the exploitative labour market, struggling for repayment issues, we can surely not view it in the positive manner. This study examined the dichotomy in the way the empowerment is quantified within the literature of microfinance. From the data collected in 2022, of 95 women SHG members from the Gurugram district, Haryana, it was deduced that measuring the impact only through the outcomes as most of the studies do, is insufficient and deceiving. There is a dire need to include the processes, surrounding credit usage and its repayment.

Investigation on the Onset of Female Puberty among School Students of Low Socio-economic Group of South 24-parganas District, West Bengal

Mahuya Patra Purkait — Mon, 25 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0530

Puberty is the change of a person to become reproductively capable. A girl’s puberty can span from the age of 9 to 14 years. In all, 256 female students of eighth standards (age 12.27+_ 0.94 years) were randomly selected from two Government Girls’ High School of South 24-Parganas district, West Bengal. In female, onset of puberty was marked using Tanner scale and obesity was assessed using Body Mass Index (BMI) as well as waist to hip ratio. Mid upper arm circumference, thigh circumference and calf circumference were measured to assess protein intake and nutritional status. Only significant correlation was found between age and menarche. But no correlation was found between puberty and obesity.

Diversity and Distribution of Amphipod Fauna (Arthropoda : Crustacea : Amphipoda) in Mangrove Ecosystems of India

M. K. Dev Roy — Mon, 25 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0530

Amphipods are one of the major macrobenthic groups in the mangrove ecosystems. They occur mostly in the accumulated debris of supra-littoral habitat zone, playing an immense ecological role in the mangrove environment. A total of 73 species of amphipods belonging to 52 genera and 28 families occurring in mangroves of India are listed and presented in this communication. Among the states, Tamil Nadu represents the highest number of 55 species (75.34%).

Application of Computer Language to Evaluate Carbon Credit from Mangroves of Indian Sundarbans

Sitangshu Roy, Nabonita Pal, Mourani Sinha, Sufia Zaman, Abhijit Mitra — Mon, 25 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0530

Mangroves are known for several ecosystem services of which carbon sequestration under the regulating service has gained momentum in recent years. This study aims to evaluate the carbon credit (in INR) from four mangrove patches at Kakdwip and Chemaguri in the western Indian Sundarbans, and Bali Island and Jharkhali in the central Indian Sundarbans. Carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂ -e) was estimated using C- Language based on which the cost of mangroves in both the sectors was estimated as per the different rates proposed by different agencies/ organizations. We observed relatively high price of mangroves in the western sector compared to the central sector of Indian Sundarbans in context to carbon credit.

Tribute to Goodness in Service Sectors and to Supreme Power: Experince Sharing

Archana Mukherjee — Mon, 25 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0530

This experience sharing relates to helping attitude of an unknown human being, goodness in medical service and holiness of God to incite better understanding in life on earth from the author’s own experiences in India and abroad to spread the message of goodness in mankind

Why Pariah Kites (Milvus Migrans) Display Mass Flight High on the Sky at Dusk?

N. C. Nandi — Mon, 25 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0530

No abstract.

Differential Analysis of Decision Making – an Opinion in the Social Context

N. C. Nandi — Mon, 25 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0530

No abstract.