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Integrated Change Detection Using GIS Techniques
in Nethravathi Spit Complex at Mangalore
-- A V Sita Rama Sarma, M D Kudale and D Mitra
Mangalore is situated on the west coast of India in Karnataka State. Gurpur and Nethravathi rivers join
the Arabian sea near Mangalore. Mangalore spit and Ullal spit, located on the north and south of the
confluence, respectively, are under continuous change in their morphology due to various complex coastal processes.
Remote sensing data and Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques were used to study the shoreline changes
in this area. Satellite data of IRS-1B/LISS-II of 1995 and IRS-1C/LISS-III of 1999 and hydrographic chart of
1979 were used for the studies. The analysis was carried out by both raster and vector methods. Raster analysis
was carried out using automated method, and vector analysis using manual digitizing method. Results of both
the methods compare well. Vector analysis using GIS techniques has been proved useful in studying the
change detection and indicated severe coastal erosion of Ullal spit during 1979-1999. Rate of erosion (3.4 ha/year) of
the Ullal spit during 1995-1999 was more severe as compared to erosion during 1979-1995 (1.18 ha/year).
However, Mangalore spit was found to be almost stable. Considerable accretion on the riverside of both the spits
was observed.
© 2009 IUP. All Rights Reserved.
Summer Planktonic Algae in Relation to Inorganic Phosphate in
the Near-Shore Waters of Al-Hodeidah, Yemen
-- Akram Alkershi
Surface water samples were collected in early August 2007 from five selected stations in the near-shore waters
of Al-Hodeidah (between 14º 50.193'-14º 46.218' N and 42° 54.058'-42° 56.928' E). Generally, diatoms are found to be the dominant planktonic algae, representing about 89% of the total number of species. The dinoflagellates,
the blue-green algae and the prymnesiophyceans contribute about 11% to the total number of species. The
overall average count of all stations was 7.722 ×
104/L. Skeletonema costatum was the dominant species, occurring in
large numbers at all stations, representing, on an average, about 51% of the total number of planktonic algae. A
positive correlation was found between inorganic phosphate concentration and the standing crop (total count) of
planktonic algae in the near-shore waters of Al-Hodeidah.
© 2009 IUP. All Rights Reserved.
Utilization of Industrial Waste for Propagation
of Antagonistic Bacteria and Plant Growth
-- Anand R and Kulothungan S
Pseudomonas fluorescens and Bacillus
subtilis isolated from rhizosphere of healthy groundnut plants were found to
be antagonistic towards the crown rot pathogen Aspergillus
niger in Arachis hypogaea L. Industrial effluents,
namely, Cane Molasses and Whey are utilized for the mass propagation of these antagonistic bacterial isolates both
in solitary form and combinations of both.
© 2009 IUP. All Rights Reserved.
Using Geographic Information System to Predict Primate
Crop Raiding in Peninsular Malaysia
-- Hashim N R, Abdul Manan M S and Nazli M F
Crop raiding is one of the main primate-human conflicts in Malaysia. In this study,
a Geographic Information System (GIS) to predict primate crop raiding susceptibility was developed using
land use types and estimated macaque populations as the determining criteria. The susceptibility map showed
that most potential crop raiding areas faced low risks. However, this is a likely scale artifact whereby greater
accuracies can be achieved using higher resolution spatial data. By including more variables, e.g., elevations, distance
from natural predators, the spatial analysis can be more detailed. The private sectors involved in plantations may
use the map for their properties management. Furthermore, this susceptibility prediction map of human
wildlife conflict can be made for other species for the purpose of wildlife management and conservation.
© 2009 IUP. All Rights Reserved.
Hospital Waste Disposal Practices and Awareness
of Hospital Staff About Waste Management Rules
-- Upasana Singh, Sudesh Gandhi and Safeer Alam
The present study was conducted to determine the existing disposal practices for hospital waste and awareness
of hospital staff regarding waste management rules. A sample of 100 respondents was selected proportionately
from medicos, paramedics and supporting staff of 10 hospitals comprising government, private and charitable
hospitals of two districts of Haryana State. On an average, 1.29 kg of hospital waste per bed per day was generated
which consisted of glass bottles, syringes, sharps, soiled plaster, material contaminated with blood and body
parts. Majority of the hospitals segregated glass bottles before disposal. 60% of them sold it to junk dealers. None of
the hospitals segregated hospital waste in recommended colored polythene bags at source. Two-fifth of private
and charitable hospitals burnt medical waste in open plots. Majority of the hospital staff, comprising mainly
paramedics and supporting staff, had low awareness level (81%) about hospital waste management rules. Regarding
awareness of different symbols, color coding of waste containers and recommended hospital waste management
practices, only few of the medicos and paramedics were partially aware whereas supporting staff was totally unaware of it.
© 2009 IUP. All Rights Reserved.
Microbial Degradation of Organophosphorous
Insecticide (Quinalphos) by Soil Bacteria
-- Vijayalakshmi Gengadharan and Ramadas V
The total viable bacterial count and the organophosphorous insecticide (quinalphos) resisting bacterial
population of the surface soil samples of rice cultivating field was taken. The total heterotrophic bacteria in the soil 81.00
× 107 CFU/g sample was observed, whereas the quinalphos resisting bacterial density was found to be 48.00 ×
107 CFU/g, 4.00 × 107 CFU/g at 0.01%, 0.1% pesticide concentrations, respectively. The dominance of
gram negative bacterial types was noticed in both total viable bacterial counts, pesticide resisting and degrading
bacterial populations. The generic composition of pesticide resisting, degrading bacterial strains showed the higher
incidence of Pseudomonas and Bacillus sp. The higher amount of phosphatase enzyme activity was exhibited at 0.1%
pesticide concentration. The growth characteristics of pesticide degrading bacteria, strained at different time intervals
was also investigated.
© 2009 IUP. All Rights Reserved.
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