Chilika Lake Research Articles

Sedimentation Pattern and its Controlling Factors in Indian Lakes

Sedimentation in lakes occurs from the time of its formation and continues till the final deposition. The rate of sedimentation varies depending upon climate, geology, soil cover and relief. In the present study, an attempt has been made to investigate the distribution and variation of sedimentation rate in Indian lakes. For this purpose, Indian lakes are classified into three zones viz., North Indian lakes (NIL), Central Indian lakes (CIL), South Indian lakes (SIL) and 27 sampling points distributed throughout India has been considered among all three zones. Correlation of rate of sedimentation data with catchment area, surface area and lithology is done in order to understand the controlling factors, rainfall and temperature data are also taken into consideration to know the effect on the sedimentation rate. In all three zones, the highest precipitation observed 2488, 1800 and 4000 mm/yr in the Nainital lake, Chilika lake and Pookot lake, respectively and temperature fluctuations in the northern region of India is higher than the central and southern region. The results showed that the NIL have relatively higher sedimentation rate compared to the CIL and SIL due to slopy terrain, higher precipitation, temperature and lithological inconsistency in northern Indian region whereas all these factors are less effective in other two zones with a minor contribution from other independent factors. NIL have ~0.634-0.804 cm/yr and ~0.636-1.117 cm/yr more sedimentation rate than CIL and SIL, respectively.

Biogenic synthesis of silver-nanoparticles with the brackish water cyanobacterium Nostoc sphaeroides and assessment of antibacterial activity against urinary tract infecting bacteria

The aim of this study was to isolate a filamentous nitrogen-fixing cyanobacterium Nostoc sphaeroides (NS) from brackish water of Chilika Lake, Odisha coast, and exploration of its use in the biosynthesis of silver-nanoparticles (AgNPs) against the urinary tract–infecting bacterial strains. The synthesized NS-AgNPs were structurally characterized by analytical techniques such as UV-visible-spectrophotometry, FTIR, XRD, SEM and SEM-EDX. The antibacterial efficacy of synthesized AgNPs had remarkable in vitro activities with the MIC value of 50 mg/ml. Moreover, Nostocine A, the inherent bioactive compound of Nostoc sp. was further investigated for molecular docking studies against the targeted bacterial DNA gyrase (Escherichia coli) and the obtained docking score was −7.9 kCal/mol as compared with the standard drug, Ciprofloxacin of a docking score −7.8 kCal/mol. The concordance between molecular docking and experimental results is excellent. Thus, the biogenic-synthesized “N. sphaeroides-AgNPs” would be used as an antibacterial agent in future.

An Updated Checklist of Avifauna found in and around Chilika Lake, Odisha, India

Chilika lake is one among the 467 important bird area (IBA) sites in India. The present study addresses the updated checklist ofavifauna of Chilika Lake, which is world's second largest brackish water Lake. Surveys were conducted during October 2006 and December 2016.The birds were recorded during the total count by boat, walking along the shore, block count, bird ringing, banding and satellite telemetry techniques. A total of 222 species ofavifauna of 62 orders and 20 families were recorded in and around study area. Nine (9) new bird species (River Lapwing Vanellus duvaucelli, Glossy Ibis Plegadis facinellus, Indian Thick-knee Burhinus indicus, Alexandrine Parakeet Pstittacula eupatria, Chestnut-headed Beeeater Merops leschenaultia, Wire-tailed Swallow Hirundo smithii, Whiterumped Munia Lonchura striata, Scaly-breasted Munia Lonchura punctulata and Black-hooded Oriole Oriolus xanthornus) were recorded first time in the study area. Out of total documented species, most of them were Least concern (201) followed by Near Threatened (17), Vulnerable (2) and Endangered (2) category of the International Union of Conservation of Endangered Fauna and Flora. The endangered species recorded from the study area were Pallas's fish eagle (Haliaeetus leucoryphus) and Great knot (Calidris tenuirostris). Prawn gharries, poaching, poisoning, illegal fishing, over fishing (operate zero size mesh net), habitat degradation and otheranthropogenic activities are the major threat to the conservation of avifauna in and around Chilika lake.

Spatial clustering using neighborhood for multispectral images

Spatial data mining discovers patterns and knowledge in spatial data. The geospatial data analysis plays a decisive role in framing essential policies related to the environment at the national as well as global level. It helps in the prediction of weather, studying the impact of climate change, the effect of global warming, forest fire, deforestation, and other causes of changes in nature. Clustering is a process of assigning similar objects to a group and dissimilar objects to different groups. We proposed a clustering algorithm, spatial clustering using neighborhood (SCN), in which similar neighboring pixels groups together to form a cluster. It is a two-step process: first, identification of clusters of similar neighboring pixels and second, merging of spatially separated similar clusters. Experiments with the implementation of the proposed approach have been carried out on three Landsat 5 thematic mapper images of Delhi, Chilika lake, and Kolkata region. In terms of normalized cluster quality parameters, SCN produced better clusters than other discussed algorithms in the literature.

Population genetics and gene flow of the seagrass, Syringodium isoetifolium based on Start codon targeted (SCoT) marker from Palk Bay and Chilika Lake, India

The large-scale population genetics study of marine angiosperm, Syringodium isoetifolium from India is the first report based on the Start Codon Targeted (SCoT) marker. The present aim was to address the genetic population structure of S. isoetifolium in relation to the migration rate. We analyzed eight SCoT primers among 15 populations of S. isoetifolium and obtained 548 polymorphic amplicons (94.81%), confirming the uniqueness of individuals of different populations. The genetic variation, such as an effective number of alleles (Ne), Shannon's information index (I), and Nei's genetic diversity (h), showed an average value of 1.44, 0.481, and 0.304, respectively of the total population. Total genetic diversity (Ht) and population diversity (Hs) were estimated to be 0.311 and 0.301. Relative genetic differentiation was high (GST = 0.318), revealed high gene flow (Nm = 1.07) among the fifteen populations. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) showed significant genetic differentiation between all populations indicated a total of 61% within populations and 39% among population variation by the marker used (P < .01). The relative migration between S. isoetifolium population was 0.357, and the Gst among the populations ranging from 0.145 to 0.867. The present results show a moderate migration rate between populations and significantly correlate with genetic differentiation, which suggests that the ocean currents predominantly play a major role between geographic distance. The effectiveness of employing SCoT markers in S. isoetifolium would be useful for further studies in population genetics and the conservation genetics of seagrasses.

The relentlessde factoprivatization process of Chilika Lake, India

AbstractIn the early 1990s Chilika Lake saw a conflict over aquaculture practices that culminated in a process ofde factoprivatization of the lake waters and the implementation of illegal shrimp cultivation. An earlier article explored the class dynamics of the conflict and the present paper, based on a 2015 fieldwork revisit, reviews the unfolding of the socioeconomic dynamics underlying the illegal aquaculture activities. Looking at recent developments in the implementation of illegal shrimp cultivation in the lake, it interrogates the underlying balance between coercion and consent, and the implications for the livelihoods and protest politics of the fishing people. The paper draws attention to the reality of occupational displacement, analysing its implications for the viability of the fisher people's oppositional movement. Through doing so, it draws renewed attention to the complexity of state–society relations underlying the dynamics that govern conflict and critically contributes to recent debates on subaltern politics.

Rapid impact assessment of extremely severe cyclonic storm Fani on morpho-dynamics &amp; ecology of Chilika Lake, Odisha, India

This article evaluates the impacts of ‘Fani’, a category four cyclone on the shoreline and ecology of the largest brackish water lagoon of Asia, Chilika, on the East Coast of India. The cyclone forced open two New Tidal Inlets (NTI) along the northern shore of the lagoon’s outer channel leading to erosion of the embankments and spits. The average rate of change due to cyclonic storm ‘Fani’ was – 6.12 m while 66.03% of the total transects registered symbol of erosion along the shoreline of Chilika lagoon. Post Fani the information made available on its impact on Chilika was minimal which made us to look into published news articles, online news channels,past published scientific literature to corroborate the likely impact of such erosion and new tidal inlets on the lake ecosystem. Experts differed on their opinions on how the plankton, fish, seagrass and critically endangered Irrawaddy Dolphin would respond to the salinity changes in the lake aftermath of the cyclone. Some of the impacts of ‘Fani’ on the lake shoreline and ecosystem were imminent, such as the opening of tidal inlets and spot death of three Irrawaddy dolphins; whereas, long-term impacts such as changes in the biomass and composition of plankton communities, fish and bird population in the lake are primarily unknown and warrants further detailed investigation. Nevertheless, the study asserts that cyclone driven shoreline damage can impact lagoon ecosystem by bringing in a rapid change in the salinity field

Seasonal and spatial variations in elemental distributions in surface sediments of Chilika Lake in response to change in salinity and grain size distribution

Chilika lake, the largest brackish water lagoon in Asia, has a unique setting, where the north-eastern part receives freshwater from the terrestrial runoff, and the south-eastern part receives seawater from the Bay of Bengal. The seasonal variability in the quantity of inflowing water and their mixing in the lake controls the mobilization and precipitation of various elements. Seasonal sediment samples were collected from both the river and seawater influenced regions of the lake to understand the spatio-seasonal distributions of various elements along the salinity gradient. The major elements present in the sediments are mostly derived from the parent rock weathering in the source region and subsequently transported into the lake by the rivers. Seasonal variations in trace element concentrations are more prominent in the north-eastern part of the lake (i.e., low salinity region), and their higher concentrations have been observed during the post-rainy period. The affinity of the elements (Al, Fe, Mn, Li, V, Co, Cr, Cu, Th, and Zn) towards fine-grain sediments suggests that the size distribution pattern controls their accumulation, retention, and remobilization. The concentrations of Cr, Cu, and Pb exceeded the effects range low, and effects range median benchmarks indicating the potential biological risk in the low salinity region as compared to the high salinity region. The statistical analysis indicated that the concentrations of elements in the region proximal to the sea mouth are controlled by grain size and physicochemical condition of the lake water. In contrast, the element concentrations in the interior region are associated with anthropogenic activities and weathering processes. Continuous monitoring and assessment of element concentrations of the lake sediments can help to protect the lake ecology from the harmful element contaminations.

Eco-critical Elements in the Selected Poems of Jayanta Mahapatra

Jayanta Mahapatra is a well-known, distinguished, Indo-Anglican writer whose poems and short stories are acknowledged worldwide. He was awarded the Sahithya Akademi Award for his work Relationship in 1981, which enabled him to gain the name of one of the doyens of Indian English Poetry. His major themes are all linked with his native place Orissa. His poems mentions Puri, Konarka, Chilika lake, Bhubaneswar recurrently and each of them are pictured in detail. An Ecocritical study on his poems is worth probing as it deserves more attention and consideration in the current state of environmental crisis. His sole inspiration is his interaction with the nature and his intimate relationship to it. As ecocriticism rightly perceives it as the study of the relationship between human and nature, deserves a detailed study with his poems. River daya in his poem takes the role of a bearer of history and is the memory of the past valor and glory of Orissa. The study here focuses on the elements of ecocriticism in his selected poems.

Extraction and Preliminary Characterization of Potential Antibacterial Agent from Potential Streptomyces cinereoruber sp. Isolated from an Chilika Lake

Extraction and Preliminary Characterization of Potential Antibacterial Agent from Potential Streptomyces cinereoruber sp. Isolated from an Chilika Lake

Spatial analysis of bacteria in brackish lake sediment

The spatial distribution of bacterial communities inhabiting sediment is heterogeneous at different spatial scales, but mostly unexplored. Here, it is postulated that the heterogeneity of the bacterial community composition varies at the same scale of the heterogeneity of sediment chemical properties. The large spatial scale (km) diversity in sediment from a brackish water lagoon (Chilika Lake, India) is studied, considering the large scale physical and chemical characteristics of land cover, climate, pH, and salinity. Seventy-two samples (24 stations, 3 seasons: winter, rainy, and summer) of sediment from Chilika Lake were analyzed by 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) gene sequencing, and the relations with land cover and other physico-chemical parameters are discussed. More samples were collected after a severe cyclonic storm (Phailin) passed near the lagoon in 2013, to see the impact of the tropical storm on the spatial and temporal distribution of bacteria in the sediment. The results demonstrate clear spatial relations between physico-chemical parameters (e.g., salinity), land surfaces (e.g., drainage area), and the distribution of sediment microbial communities.

Status of pesticide residues in water, sediment, and fishes of Chilika Lake, India.

Chilika Lake is the largest coastal lagoon in Asia and the second largest in the world covering an area of 1100km2 and spread over three districts of Odisha state of India. It is the first Indian wetland designated as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention in 1981. The lake ecosystem sustains large and diversified resources of plants and animals including fisheries. Pollution of the ecosystem caused by residues of pesticides originating from different sources was assessed through multiple sampling from 2012 to 2016 from three potential sites of contamination, viz., Palur Bridge, Daya River Estuary, and Makara River. Incidence of organochlorinated (OC) pesticide residues was noticed in about 25% water samples. HCH (α, γ&δ), DDD (op|), DDE (op|&pp.|) and heptachlor were the OCs detected in concentration varying from 0.025 to 23.4μg/l. None of the eight targeted synthetic pyrethroid (SP) pesticides was found in water, but among the organophosphates (OP), chlorpyrifos (0.019-2.73μg/l), and dichlorvos (0.647μg/l) were recorded. In sediment samples, residues of OC or OP pesticides were not present, but one SP pesticide was recorded. Fish samples were contaminated to the extent of 55%, mostly with residues of OCs and OPs and less with SPs. However, their concentrations were below the permissible limit, so there was no direct threat of health hazards to humans.

Characterization of dredged soil collected from island of Chilika lake

Chilika lake, the second largest brackish water lagoon in the world, is situated at the east coast of India. It is an estuarine lake connected with the Bay of Bengal. Hydrology of Chilika depends on Mahanadi River in the north side, 52 channels of water in the western side and Bay of Bengal in eastern side. Various rivers dispose their water into the lake causing siltation, which ultimately results in decrease in depth of water body leading to ecological imbalance of the lake and the surrounding area. This necessitates dredging to be carried out in Chilika and presently the dredged material is dumped inside the lake creating islands. Proper utilization of the dredged material rather than treating it as a waste material is the need of the hour. In the present study an attempt has been made to explore the utilization potential of dredged material through its characterization. This is achieved through X-Ray Diffraction test, scanning electron microscope test, Fourier transform infrared test, geotechnical and agronomical characterization tests on the soil collected from dredged island of Chilika lake. For this purpose, representative samples were collected from two dredged islands situated in the central sector of the lake. In this investigation presence of Quartz as the main component with some amount of Phengite, Sanidine etc. are found. Based on the characterization, some suggestions regarding the potential utilization of the dredged soil are also discussed.

Production, characterization and application of thermostable, alkaline α-amylase (AA11) from Bacillus cereus strain SP-CH11 isolated from Chilika Lake

An alkaliphile bacterial strain designated as CH11 was isolated from the sediments of Chilika Lake, Odisha. The isolate showed stupendous growth and production of α-amylase at pH 10.0. Through 16S rRNA gene based molecular technique this isolate was identified as Bacillus cereus strain SP-CH11 having GenBank Accession No. KT992791. Homogenous ~55 kDa extracellular α-amylase was extracted with 241.304, 26.26 and 3.2-fold acceleration in specific activity, purification fold and yield respectively. The alkaline α-amylase AA11 was further characterized. At pH 9.0 the purified enzyme AA11 was highly stable while retaining 88–100% functional viability at temperature range from 35 to 65 °C, confirming its thermostability nature. It showed stability with powdered and liquid detergents at 7 mg/mL and 100-fold dilutions respectively. AA11 efficiently removed the starch stain from cotton fabrics. The findings of this study indicate that the isolate CH11 is a source of novel alkaline α-amylase that has promising application in food and detergent industries.

Rheinheimera pleomorphica sp. nov., a Novel Alkali-Tolerant Bacteria Isolated from Chilika Lake, India.

A novel Gram-negative gamma-proteobacterium, non-sporulating motile, rod or coccus-shaped bacterium designated as strain PKS7T was isolated from a sediment sample collected from Chilika Lake, Odisha, India and characterized taxonomically using a polyphasic approach. The major quinone was Q8 and major cellular fatty acids were C16:0, C17:0, C15:1w8c, C17:1w8c, C12:03-OH. The chemotaxonomic features confirmed the isolate to be a member of genus Rheinheimera. 16SrRNA gene sequence of strain PKS7T was closest in similarity to R. aquimaris SW-353T (99.36% identity), R. muenzenbergensis E49T (98.63%), R. nanhaiensis E407-8T (98.35%), R. japonica KMM 9513T (98.35%) and R. baltica DSM-14885T (98.08%). The 16S rRNA gene sequence-based phylogenetic analysis and sequence similarity between the isolated strain and type strains also revealed its affiliation to genus Rheinheimera. DNA-DNA relatedness with closest type strain R. aquimaris SW-353T was 25.0% (±3.40) and in silico DDH showed values in the range of 17.7-37.1% with the type strains of the genus Rheinheimera for which whole genome sequence are available. Strain PKS7T was also distinguished by a multi-locus sequence analysis (MLST) by alingning gyrB gene sequences of the closest type strains of Rheinheimera. The draft genome of strain PKS7T contained 32 contigs of total size 3,963,569bp comprising of 3763 predicted coding sequences with a G + C content of 50.7mol%. Comparision of phenotypic and genotypic data with its closest neighbours and closely related species confirm the strain PKS7T to be recognised as a novel species within the genus Rheinheimera, for which the name Rheinheimera pleomorphica sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is PKS7T (= KCTC 42365 = JCM 30460).

Exploration of detergent-stable alkaline α-amylase AA7 from Bacillus sp strain SP-CH7 isolated from Chilika Lake

An alkali-tolerant bacterial isolate CH7 was isolated from Chilika Lake sediments that produced α-amylase at high pH. It showed >15 mm zone diameter at pH 11.0 on agar plate containing 1% starch hence considered for study. It survived up to 10% NaCl concentration on nutrient agar plates. Taxonomically it was identified as Bacillus sp. strain SP-CH7 having GenBank Accession No. KU761266. Optimized alkaline α-amylase, AA7 showed 202.857 specific activity (IU/mg), 65.95 purification fold and 25.94 yield (%) respectively. Molecular weight was revealed by SDS-PAGE as 55 kDa. The Km value was 0.688 mg/mL and so was 2.342 IU/mL Vmax obtained for AA7 towards starch. This enzyme showed 92.79% and 91.14% stability at pH 11.0 and 13.0 respectively and up to 75 °C stability was also noted. Enzyme activity was stimulated by Co2+, Na+ and Ca2+. It was stable in presence of EDTA, SDS, all the powdered detergents as well as with liquid detergent “Ezee” which vouches for its potential application in Detergent industries.

Occurrence of One-legged Marsh Sandpiper Tringa Stagnatilis Flocks at Chilika Lake, Orissa, India

Occurrence of One-legged Marsh Sandpiper Tringa Stagnatilis Flocks at Chilika Lake, Orissa, India

A forestry-based PES mechanism for enhancing the sustainability of Chilika Lake through reduced siltation loading

Lakes provide significant ecological and economic benefits to society. However, they are prone to over-exploitation and degradation. In this paper, we address the challenge of protecting Chilika Lake in India from heavy siltation caused by land degradation in its catchment areas. Community led afforestation is explored as a management tool for reducing soil erosion and improving fish yields in the lake. Optimal afforestation by a forestry-dependent community is compared to that from the perspective of a manager who maximizes the joint utility of the forestry and fishery-based communities. Additionally, a payment for ecosystem services (PES) mechanism is designed, which pays the forest community on the basis of reduced siltation loading in the lake while also allowing it to benefit from fuelwood harvesting in the newly restored forests. Through relating the impact of fuelwood harvesting by the forestry-based communities on fish yields of the fishing community, a dynamic optimization model evaluates the various trade-offs between environmental services provided by the forest and lake ecosystems. Findings indicate that paying the forestry-based communities for restoration can help improve the lake's lifespan in absence of other interventions. Increasing afforestation levels in the lake's catchment region to 1000 km2 can result in additional fish yield of half a million tonnes over the next hundred years, generating more than a billion dollars in revenues for the fishing communities.

Ophichthus chilkensis Chaudhuri, 1916 (Anguilliformes: Ophichthidae)-resurrection as a valid species from India, with re-description.

Ophichthus chilkensis Chaudhuri, 1916 has long been treated as a synonym of Pisodonophis cancrivorus (Richardson, 1848). O. chilkensis is hereby re-described on the basis of holotype from Chilika Lake, Odisha as well as ten fresh specimens from Talsari, Balasore district, Odisha and Digha, West Bengal. The present study confirms it belonging to the genus Ophichthus and resurrected as a valid species from the east coast of India. It is compared with its closest congener species, particularly with Ophichthus microcephalus Day, 1878, known from India.

Phylogenetic diversity of sulfate-reducing bacteria of sediments of Chilika Lake, India, determined through analysis of the dissimilatory sulfite reductase (dsr AB) gene.

In this study, the sulfate-reducing bacteria, (SRB) were identified and reported for the first time through analysis of functional gene dsrAB, from the DNA of sediment samples collected from 10 sites of the Chilika lake. The finding illustrates Forty six Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs), identified from the DGGE which were obtained from the 10 sediment samples. Of these, 34 OTUs exhibited around 78-96% sequence similarity and 12 OTUs showed 97 to 100% sequence similarity to the dsrAB gene of reported type strains of SRB. The sequence information obtained revealed the presence and distribution of diverse types of SRB which include phylotypes related to Desulfovibrio, Desulfonatronovibrio, Desulfomicrobium, Desulfobotulous and Desulfobacca. Upon comparison of dsrAB gene sequences of SRB obtained through this study with those collected from the GenBank, and through the dendrogram constructed, it was observed that except 13 OTUs that clustered closely with the reported type strains, all other 36 OTUs clustered distantly and had no representative member of SRB. This indicated the presence of phylogenetically diverse groups of SRB inhabiting the lake Chilika.