Abstract Methane is an active green house gas whose concentration in the atmosphere is increasing rapidly. Methane has a number of natural and anthropogenic sources and sinks in the environment. Anaerobic decay of biological matter in waste dumps and landfill sites is one of such sources. Since methane emission from waste dumps depend on a variety of factors like composition of the waste and local environmental parameters, it is necessary to measure the emission from different sites to estimate the contribution of methane from these. The emission of methane from two waste dumps, one in Trivandrum and another in Kottarakara was measured. The results are presented.

Type of report: Final Technical Report

Report No.: CESS-PR-01-2003

Funding agency : CESS

Investigator : Dr. E.J. Zachariah

RAPID ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT – PALLIVASAL HYDRO ELECTRIC PROJECT EXTENSION SCHEME (2 X 30 MW)

Abstract A rapid environmental impact assessment (EIA) of the proposed 60 MW Pallivasal Extension Scheme of Kerala State Electricity Board is carried out by monitoring the baseline environmental status of the impact zone (an area with 7 km radius of the diversion weir at R.A. head works) and evaluating the beneficial and adverse impacts on pertinent environmental attributes due to various activities that are ongoing at present and envisaged during the construction and operation phases of the project.

The designated impact zone is, by and large, a plantation area and characterized by the high range undulating terrain of Western Ghats. The socio-economic environment here is dominated by activities linked to plantation, tourism and power production with population dominated by settlers. The natural vegetation of different types including the shoals are severely stressed due to various development activities over the years. This has decreased the natural habitats of typical high range species. About 25% of the total area of the immediate catchments of the project, which are not protected by natural vegetation or by land management, is critical in terms of vulnerability to soil erosion and slope stability. It is found that the overall environmental impact at present is minimally adverse irrespective of significant beneficial impacts on socio-economic environment. Even though the scheme envisages only certain truncated activities of a typical hydro electric project, the impact during the construction and operation phases are predicted to be minimally adverse. Considering this, an environmental management plan (EMP) is suggested and its implementation will enhance the environmental quality to minimally beneficial category during the operation phase. This scenario can be considered as advantageous as the extension scheme envisages a three-fold increase in power production during the peak hours without inflicting any significant impact on the ecology.

Type of report: Final Technical Report

Report No.: CESS-PR-03-2003

Funding agency: Kerala State Electricity Board

Investigator : Dr. R. Ajaykumar Varma (PI)

AIR POLLUTION STRESS DETECTION IN PLANTS BY LASER INDUCED CHLOROPHYLL FLUORESCENCE

Abstract The effect of air pollutants such as SO2 and NO2, and suspended particulate matter (SPM) on the photosynthetic activity of colocasia, kacholam and tapioca plants were studied from in vivo laser induced cholorophyll fluorescence (LICF) spectra. An Open Top Chamber (OTC) with an air filtering unit was developed for this study. The plants grown inside the OTC were exposed to specified dosages of air pollution from a two-stroke petrol engine. The LICF spectra of the control and treated plants were recorded in the 650-750 nm region using a Jobin Yvon double monochromator with a He-Ne laser as the excitation source. Fluorescence induction kinetics (Kautsky effect) was also recorded during the stress period from dark adapted intact plant leaves at the chlorophyll bands at 685 nm and 730 nm. The vitality indices (Rfd-685 and Rfd-730) and stress adaptation index (Ap) derived from the induction kinetics were utilized along with the fluorescence intensity ratio (F685/F730) of the chlorophyll bands for evaluation of stress induced changes in plants. Gaseous pollutants and SPM present inside the OTC during the exposure period were measured using a high volume air sampler. Chlorophyll content of the plants was also measured during the treatment period for comparison.

It is seen that the F685/F730 ratio for all the investigated plants increased while the chlorophyll content decreased with increasing stress. During the 10 days of pollution stress, the ratio increased from 2.03 to 2.70 for colocasia, from 1.97 to 2.63 for tapioca and from 2.66 to 3.52 fro kacholam plants. The Rfd-685, Rfd-730 and Ap values showed a downward trend with increasing pollution stress for all the three plants. The results presented five the combined effect of SO2, NO2 and SPM emission from a two-stroke engine on the photosynthetic activity of three varieties of plants and demonstrate the potential of the LICF technique in quantification of changes in the photosynthetic functioning of different plant species subjected to air pollution stress.

Type of report : Final Project Report

Report No.: CESS-PR-05-2003

Funding agency : State Council for Science, Technology & Environment

Investigator : Dr. N. Subhash (PI)

MONITORING OF WATER AND SEDIMENT QUALITY IN THE COCHIN HARBOUR REGION

Abstract The water and sediment quality of Cochin harbour region was monitored from August 2002 to January 2003. Most of the hydrological features such as temperature, pH, salinity and dissolved oxygen were greatly influenced by seasonal changes, tidal influx and fresh water input. Water temperature and pH showed wide fluctuation between surface and bottom samples; slight variation in salinity at certain period could be attributed to fresh water input. Fluctuation in turbidity could be due to localized harbour activities besides the fresh water influence. The variations observed in turbidity could be attributed to the harbour activities, domestic sewage and river discharge. Sediment quality showed that trace metals were originated from industrial source, which was being maintained by the clayish sediment.

Type of report: 4th Half Yearly Report

Report No.: CESS-PR-09-2003

Funding agency : Kochi Port Trust

Investigators : Dr. P.P. Ouseph

COMAPS – MONITORING ALONG KAVARATTI ISLAND – LAKSHADWEEP SEA

Abstract Pollution monitoring of the marine environment around Kavaratti Island was done on the basis of data collected during April and November 2002. There is no wide fluctuation observed in water temperature, salinity, pH, DO and nutrient concentration during the studies. Primary productivity, phaeopigments, chlorophyll a did not fluctuate widely between the 3 stations in both the surveys. Phytoplankton and zooplankton production have been found less in November. Asterionella, Ceratium, Skeletonema, Cosinodiscus were the dominant phytoplankton in April and it was replaced by chaetoceros, Rhizosolenia, Leptocylindrus in November. Copepods occupied more than 50% of zooplankton in April. Cladocerans were the common genera in November. Not much variation was noticed in the benthic community during both the surveys. The general health of the sea in terms of physico-chemical and biological parameters remains healthy. The bacteriological studies indicated that the maximum counts of almost all the organisms in waster and sediment samples during both the surveys were recorded at Lagoon nearshore. TVC showed the highest count during November (4800 CFU/ml) followed by April (2900 CFU/ml). Correspondingly, the highest count of total coliforms was also recorded during November (225 CFU/ml) when PALO showed their presence only during November from Lagoon nearshore.

Type of report : Annual Report

Report No.: CESS-PR-10-2003

Funding agency: Department of Ocean Development

Investigator: Dr. P.P. Ouseph

RIVER SAND MINING FROM KOTTAYAM DISTRICT, KERALA

Abstract Mining of river sand and gravel for various purposes has created serious conflicts in the environmental and socio-economic scenarios of out state. There have been numerous complaints from public as well as various NGOs against the indiscriminate sand mining. As directed by the Hon’ble High Court and the Government of Kerala, CESS has conducted many studies on sand mining and related environmental issues of various river basin of the state for laying down strategies for future mining. The present report is district-wise update of the various sand mining studies carried out over the years in the Kottayam district.

As per CESS records, 26 local bodies located on either side of the Muvattupuzha (6) Meenachil (12) and Manimala (8) rivers are engaged in sand mining. They together mine about 832 truck loads per day (tlpd) of sand through 251 kadavus. This amount is several folds higher than the natural replenishments and hence impose severe environmental probelms in the area. Apart from environmental problems, the sand mining activity provides employment opportunity to a considerable section of the labour force of the Kottayam district. Further, there is no viable alternative available to this crucial construction material fro immediate use.

Taking all these into consideration, a resource allocation strategy that can balance the current demand and the emerging environmental issues related to sand mining is worked out on a river basin mode and recommended for consideration of the concerned authorities. A few additional suggestions are also made for improving the overall environmental quality of the area.

Report No.: CESS-PR-22-2003

Type of report : Final Technical Report

Funding agency: Local Self Government