Assessment Of Anthropogenic Activities Research Articles

Environmental Impact Assessment of Anthropogenic Activities and Conceptual Restoration Strategy for Kham River in Aurangabad, India.

In present study, the environmental impact assessment of the anthropogenic activities on the Kham River is carried out. 8Km stretch of the Kham River from downstream of Harsul Lake to the upstream of Chavani Bridge in the Aurangabad city has been selected as the study area for the assessment with regards to water quality, flooding risk, ecological and aesthetical aspects using Battelle environmental evaluation system. For the water quality monitoring eight sampling stations along the length of the river were selected and samples were taken in each season for laboratory analysis of Dissolved oxygen, Biochemical oxygen demand, pH, Total dissolved solids and total suspended solids. The results of the water quality analysis shows that the water quality in the upstream stretch of 3kms upto Himayat Baug is considerably good in comparison to the remaining 5kms stretch from Himayat Baug to Chavani Bridge. The cross sectional survey of the river basin is carried out to measure the extent of the enchorachment along the basin. The results of the cross sectional survey shows that the river basin has mean width of 36.16 meters. The ecological assessment was carried out along the vicinity of the river basin and the species of flora, birds and fishes were listed. The result of the ecological survey shows that the river has variety of species of flora and birds and fishes are found in the upstream reach of the river. The survey of recreational and historically important monuments along the basin was carried out and those places were listed for study of aesthetical aspects. The results of aesthetical survey shows that there are many places of that importance along the vicinity of the basin namely Harsul Lake, Himayat Baug, Bibi-ka-Maqbara, Panchakki, Makai Gate, Barapulla Gate, Mehmood Gate and Siddarth garden. The Battelle environmental evaluation system result shows a negative impact of – 375 units and the conceptual strategies for the restoration of Kham River are also recommended.

Permethrin induced oxidative stress and neurotoxicity on the freshwater beetle Laccophilus minutus

ABSTRACTBiomonitoring has become a useful tool in environmental risk assessment of anthropogenic activities releasing disturbing pollutants. Permethrin, used worldwide to control a wide range of pest insects, can threaten aquatic biota, potentially useful as precocious bioindicators in ecotoxicology. This study seeks to assess the acute toxicity permethrin to the freshwater beetle, its availability in water, as well as, its uptake. The acute toxicity of permethrin to non-target species was studied under laboratory conditions to assess its effect, after the exposure 48 h, on the freshwater beetle Laccophilus minitus considering changes in some enzymatic activities; a specific biomarker of neurotoxicity (acetylcholinesterase) and a non-specific biomarker of oxidative stress (superoxide dismutase and catalase). The rates of permethrin in water and insects were determined using gas chromatography. The low measured concentration of the pesticide 0.0013 μg/L didńt modify the SOD and CAT activities in comparison with controls, only the high concentrations (0.023 and 0.18 μg/L) induced a significant increase in the enzyme activity. A similar profile was recorded for the H2O2 level. The permethrin treatment induced a drastic depletion of AChE activity. As outcomes, uptake at a low level (<6.8 ± 0.43 ng/g dry weight) showed to be the factor underlying the alterations in the beetles exposed to permethrin. Such findings provide information on the behaviour of permethrin within the environment and its biological target through its neurotoxicity and induction of oxidative stress in a freshwater beetle.

Assessment of Anthropogenic Activities on the Tourism and Recreation Territory of Olkhon Island (Irkutsk Region, Russia)

The article presents the current state of recreational nature management on the territory of Olkhon Island and gives estimation of the recreational load on natural complexes and vegetation cover digression in 15 key areas within the Olkhon region.

Monitoring and assessment of anthropogenic activities in mountain lakes: a case of the Fifth Triglav Lake in the Julian Alps.

The Fifth Triglav Lake is a remote mountain lake in the Julian Alps. The area of the Julian Alps where the lake is situated is protected by law and lies within the Triglav National Park. Mountain lakes in Slovenia were considered for a long time as pristine, unpolluted lakes, but analyses in the last decade revealed considerable human impact even in such remote places. Eutrophication or excessive accumulation of nutrients is the main problem of most lakes in the temperate climatic zone, also in Slovenia. Since the introduction of fish in 1991, the lake is going through a series of changes for which we do not know exactly where they lead, so the monitoring and assessment of anthropogenic activities are of great importance. For this purpose, a qualitative multiattribute decision model was developed with DEX method to assess ecological effects on the lake. The extent of the ecological effects on the lake is assessed using four main parameters: the trophic state, lake characteristics, environmental parameters, and anthropogenic stressors. Dependence of environmental impact on various external factors beyond human control, such as temperature, precipitation, retention time, and factors on which we have influence, such as the amount of wastewater and the presence of fish in the lake, were also evaluated. The following data were measured: chlorophyll a, nutrients, TP, oxygen, C/N ratio, nutrients in sediment, temperature, precipitation, retention time, and volume. We made assumptions about fish and wastewater, which we could not measure. The main contributions of this work are the designed model and the obtained findings for the Fifth Triglav Lake that can help not only scientists in understanding the complexity of lake-watershed systems and interactions among system components but also local authorities to manage and monitor the lake aquatic environment in an effective and efficient way. The model is flexible and can be also used for other lakes, assuming that the used parameters are measured and anthropogenic stressors are adjusted to a specific situation. The results of assessment are of particular interest for decision makers in protected areas, providing a new approach to the management of the quality of the water environment.

Assessment of anthropogenic activities and exotic flora of Lolab valley, Kashmir, India

The present study is an attempt to analyze and assess the anthropogenic pressure and status of exotic species in the forests of Lolab Valley, Kashmir (India). Because of continuous and heavy grazing, and illegal encroachments, the pastures and forest-areas are deteriorated to critical levels. The pressure is also developing on the most favorite and preferred fuel wood tree species that include Cedrus deodara, Pinus excelsa, and Abies pindrow. The Kashmir Himalaya, known for its indigenous and endemic flora, also provides home to a large number of exotic plants, which exhibit a wide taxonomical and distributional stretch. The inventorization and documentation of its exotics have received a little or negligible attention. The present study has revealed that the exotic flora of Lolab valley is represented by a total of 30 species belonging to 22 families. The family Salicaceae (39%) proved to be the largest family fallowed by Rosaceae (31%), Rununculaceae (15%) and Moraceae (15%). Contribution of different geographical regions in terms of nativity shows that highest number of alien species have come from the continental Europe (42%) followed by Asia (31%) and North America (13%). In contrast, European flora contributed maximum percentage of species (42%) to the alien flora of Lolab valley.

Assessment of Anthropogenic Activities on Water Quality of Benin River

Assessment of water quality was conducted from June to December, 2011 in five stations along the stretch of the Benin River between Ajimele and Koko town in attempt to assess and determine the source of anthropogenic activities affecting the river. Twentyfour parameters have been monitored on 5 sampling stations on a monthly-day-trip. Inter station comparisons and locations of significant differences were carried out using parametric ANOVA and Duncan multiple range tests. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Water Quality Index (WQI) were used to establish relationship among water quality parameters and determine the water quality status. First six components of PCA accounted for 90.96% of observed variations and showed similarity between the sampling stations indicating different anthropogenic activities and pollution levels of sampled sites. Factors identified as responsible for variability in the sampling stations are organic pollution, industrial effluent, soil erosion, nutrient loading and human activities, especially in station 4 and 5. WQI for sampling stations 1 and 3 was very poor for drinking (201 - 300) and stations 2, 4 and 5 was unsuitable (> 301) for human consumptions. In the final analysis, this investigation presents the usefulness of PCA and WQI in assessing complex datasets of surface water quality and as well as a call to action for the state and federal ministry of environment to take this issue of water quality degradation in Benin River into consideration, by reducing organic pollution and effluent discharge into the river. An intense and continuous water quality monitoring is highly recommended. © JASEM Keywords : Organic pollution, Industrial effluent, Water Quality Index (WQI), Principal Component Analysis (PCA).