Patiala City Research Articles

Multivariate analysis for assessing the quality of stormwater from different Urban surfaces of the Patiala city, Punjab (India)

Land use modifications associated with urbanization, such as clearance of vegetation, replacement of previously pervious areas with impervious surfaces and drainage channel modifications, result in increased runoff volumes, which often create flooding hazards and increase pollutant transport. An attempt has been made in the present study to investigate stormwater quality from five different urban sub-watersheds (that differ in land use and development activities) in the city of Patiala, India. The five sub-watersheds have similar geological, topographical and climatic conditions and were chosen to minimize the effect of these characteristics on stormwater quality and quantity. Stormwater samples were collected during six storm events between April 2010 and March 2011 and analyzed for BOD5, COD, TSS, TDS, Oil and Grease, TKN, Total P, Coliforms and Heavy Metals (Zn, Cd, Ni, Pb, Fe and Cu). Results of the investigation indicate a strong correlation between land use and development activities and the resulting stormwater quality. TSS, COD and Oil and Grease were found to be major pollutants in surface runoff generated from commercial and urbanized catchments (all exceeded the surface water quality standards developed by Central Pollution Control Board, India). The water quality of the smaller residential catchment was better as compared to other catchments. Principal component analysis was investigated to identify linkages between stormwater quality and urban surface types. It was also confirmed through regression analysis that both antecedent dry period and rainfall intensity have telling influence on stormwater quality. Results obtained can provide practical information for improved stormwater management.

Development of Multiple Linear Regression Models for Predicting the Stormwater Quality of Urban Sub-Watersheds

Stormwater management at urban sub-watershed level has been envisioned to include stormwater collection, treatment, and disposal of treated stormwater through groundwater recharging. Sizing, operation and control of the stormwater management systems require information on the quantities and characteristics of the stormwater generated. Stormwater characteristics depend upon dry spell between two successive rainfall events, intensity of rainfall and watershed characteristics. However, sampling and analysis of stormwater, spanning only few rainfall events, provides insufficient information on the characteristics. An attempt has been made in the present study to assess the stormwater characteristics through regression modeling. Stormwater of five sub-watersheds of Patiala city were sampled and analyzed. The results obtained were related with the antecedent dry periods and with the intensity of the rainfall event through regression modeling. Obtained regression models were used to assess the stormwater quality for various antecedent dry periods and rainfall event intensities.

Black carbon aerosol variations over Patiala city, Punjab, India—A study during agriculture crop residue burning period using ground measurements and satellite data

In the present study, we have analyzed the variations in black carbon (BC) aerosol mass concentration over Patiala city, Punjab, India, during October/November-2008 associated with agriculture crop residue burning activities. BC mass concentration, observed to be very high (above 20μgm−3) on certain days during November-2008, was closely associated with intensive agriculture crop residue burning practices over the region. Higher values (>1.0) of ground-measured aerosol optical depth (AOD) together with increase (>1.2) in angstrom exponent (α) values suggested dominance of fine mode aerosols over the region. Satellite observations clearly define the fire spot areas and the enhanced aerosol burden over the region. BC absorption coefficient calculated from seven channels aethalometer exhibits a pronounced diurnal variation with higher values during early morning and evening hours and lower during noon and early afternoon associated with biomass-burning activities and boundary-layer dynamics over the region.

Effects of exposure to rice-crop residue burning smoke on pulmonary functions and Oxygen Saturation level of human beings in Patiala (India)

Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs) like Force Vital Capacity (FVC), Force Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV1), Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF) and Force Expiratory Flow between 25 and 75% of FVC (FEF25–75%) and Oxygen Saturation (SpO2) level of 50 healthy inhabitants with respect to rice crop residue burning were investigated for three rice cultivation periods from 2007 to 2009. The subjects were residents of five sampling sites selected in Patiala city. Concentration of Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM), Sulfur dioxide (SO2), Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and Particulate Matter (PM) of size less than 10 and 2.5μm (PM10 and PM2.5) were measured by using High Volume Sampler (HVS) and Cascade Anderson Impactor. Results show that rice crop residue burning increases the pollution level in the ambient air, and PFTs undergo a significant decrease in their respective values. No significant change was seen in SpO2 level during rice crop residue burning. In 2008, an increase of 10μgm−3 in PM2.5, PM10, SPM and NO2 was associated significantly with decrease in FVC in percentages predicted −1.541, −1.002, −1.178, −0.232%, respectively. The decrease in air quality due to open rice crop residue burning has sub acute effect on pulmonary functions of healthy subjects and that SO2 and NO2 have less adverse effects on pulmonary functions than with different size Particulate Matter.

Respiratory Effects of Air Pollutants among Nonsmoking Auto Rickshaw Drivers of Patiala City (Punjab State, India)

Respiratory Effects of Air Pollutants among Nonsmoking Auto Rickshaw Drivers of Patiala City (Punjab State, India)

Socio-economic analysis of the migrant labourers in Punjab: An empirical analysis

Labour migration is a complex phenomenon and encompasses different streams which vary in duration, nature of origin and destination areas and characteristics of migration process. Based on the primary and secondary data, this paper analyses the socio-economic conditions of migrant labourers in Patiala city; studies the nature, size, type and other characteristics of migrant labourers; analyses to what extent migration has contributed towards the improvement in the economic conditions of migrant labourers and their families; examines the effects of migration on the general improvement of the economic conditions in those areas supporting migration; outlines the difficulties and problems faced by migrant workers during migration; and finally reviews the various legal and legislative enactments of central and state governments to safeguard the interests of migrant labourers. Resourcelessness, unemployment and poverty are the main factors responsible for the migration of the poor labourers and these labourers have a tendency to migrate in their young age. A sizeable proportion of male migrants goes alone 1st and leaves their wives behind in the village. Many of these migrants send remittances to their families, visit frequently, and return to their villages to retire. Migration is shown to have contributed significantly to the improved economic situation of the migrants and their families. Key words: Government, migrant labourers, poverty, unemployment.

Effects of agriculture crop residue burning on children and young on PFTs in North West India

Variations in pulmonary function tests (PFTs) due to agriculture crop residue burning (ACRB) on children between the age group of 10 to 13 years and the young between 20 to 35 years are studied. The effects of exposure to smoke due to rice–wheat crop residue burning on pulmonary functions like Force Vital Capacity (FVC), Force Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV 1), Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF) and Force Expiratory Flow in 25 to 75% of FVC (FEF 25 – 75%) on 40 healthy subjects of rural/agricultural area of Sidhuwal village of Patiala City were investigated for a period from August 2008 to July 2009. Measurements were taken by spirometry according to the American Thoracic Society standards. High volume sampler (HVS) and Anderson Impactor were used to measure the concentration levels of SPM, PM 10 and PM 2.5 in ambient air of the Sidhuwal village. A significant increase in the concentration levels of SPM, PM 10 and PM 2.5 was observed due to which PFTs of the subjects showed a significant decrease in their values, more prominently in the case of children. PFTs of young subjects recovered up to some extent after the completion of burning period but the PFT values of children remained significantly lower (p < 0.001) even after the completion of burning episodes. Small size particulate matter (PM 2.5 and PM 10) affected the PFTs to a large extent in comparison to the large size particulate matter (SPM). The study indicates that ACRB is a serious environmental health hazard and children are more sensitive to air pollution, as ACRB poses some unrecoverable influence on their PFTs.

Impact of rice crop residue burning on levels of SPM, SO2 and NO2 in the ambient air of Patiala (India)

Ground-based ambient air monitoring was conducted at five different locations in and around Patiala city (29°49′–30°47′N Latitude, 75°58′–76°54′E Longitude) in Northern India in order to determine the impact of open burning of rice (Oriza sativa) crop residues on concentration levels of suspended particulate matter (SPM), sulphur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2). Covering sensitive, residential, agricultural, commercial and urban areas, sampling of these pollutants was organised during August 2006 to January 2007 and August 2007 to January 2008 casing two rice crop residue burning periods (October–November) using a high volume sampling technique combined with gaseous sampling systems. Gravimetric analysis was used in the estimation of total suspended particulate matter (TSPM) whereas SO2 and NO2 concentration was determined using spectrophotometer (Specord205, Analytikjena). Monthly average concentrations of SPM, SO2 and NO2 have shown significant up and down features at all the selected sampling sites during the study period. Monthly average concentrations (24 hour) of SPM, SO2 and NO2 varied from 100 ± 11 µg m−3 to 547 ± 152 µg m−3, 5 ± 4 µg m−3 to 55 ± 34 µg m−3 and 9 ± 5 µg m−3 to 91 ± 39 µg m−3. Substantially higher concentrations were recorded at the commercial area site as compared to the other sampling sites for all the targeted air pollutants. Levels of SPM, SO2 and NO2 showed clear increase during the burning months (October–November) incorporated with the effect of meteorological parameters especially wind direction, precipitation and atmospheric temperature.

Ambient air quality during wheat and rice crop stubble burning episodes in Patiala

Open crop stubble burning events were observed in and around Patiala city, India. A ground level study was deliberated to analyze the contribution of wheat ( Triticum aestivum) and rice ( Oriza sativa) crop stubble burning practices on concentration levels of aerosol, SO 2 and NO 2 in ambient air at five different sites in and around Patiala city covering agricultural, commercial and residential areas. Aerosols were collected on GMF/A and QMF/A (Whatman) sheets for a 24 h period throughout the year in 2007. Simultaneously, sampling of SO 2 and NO 2 was conducted and results obtained during stubble burning periods were compared to the non-stubble burning periods. Results clearly pointed out a distinct increase in aerosol, SO 2 and NO 2 levels during the crop stubble burning periods.

Microbiological safety of street vended fruit chats in Patiala city

Microbiological safety of street vended fruit chats in Patiala city

SPM levels of an urban area (Patiala City) and its relation to automobile exhaust

Concentration levels of suspended particulate matter (SPM), organic tarry matter (BSPM), ignitable matter (LOI) and lead in the ambient air of an urban area are measured by using a high volume sampler. SPM levels in different zones of the city are reported. Organic tarry matter measured as benzene soluble particulate matter (BSPM) constitutes about 4–9% of the SPM. BSPM in the ambient air varies in a range of 10–40 μg m−3. Ignitable matter measured as loss on ignition (LOI) forms about 24–40% of the SPM. Absolute values of LOI vary between 50 and 150 μg m−3. Concentrations of BSPM, LOI and Pb are correlated to automobile exhaust as the probable source. The studies indicate that BSPM and LOI are integral parts of the SPM but their concentrations are independent of the SPM levels.

School screening for scoliosis in India. The evaluation of a scoliometer.

All school children in Patiala City (25,376) were examined to find out the incidence of scoliosis. There were 12,934 boys and 12,442 girls. Their ages ranged from 5 to 18 years. Adam's forward-bending test and a newly designed "Scoliometer" was used to detect and measure the rib hump in all cases. There was an overall incidence of scoliosis of 0.13%. This was higher in boys (0.15%) than in girls (0.10%). The majority of the curves were mild (81.25%). Paralytic scoliosis was the major group (43.7%) and most the result of poliomyelitis. The incidence was higher in the low socioeconomic group (0.4%), compared to the middle (0.12%) and high (0.01%) income groups.

Order of birth and growth in weight and height of Punjabi girls from 6 to 12 years.

Prepubertal Punjabi girls ranging in age from 16 to 12 years and belonging to lower and lower-middle socio-economic groups were included in the study. The data on 692 girls for weight, height and sitting height were collected during 1974–75 from various schools of Patiala city. The differences in body weight, height and sitting height at various ages among different birth ranking girls are non-significant. The physical growth patterns among different groups are almost similar. The home environment which can reasonably be assumed to be better for the first child has little if any impact on the physical growth of Punjabi girls.

Physical growth of pre-pubertal Punjabi girls

Cross-sectional data on 724 pre-pubertal Punjabi girls ranging in age from 6 to 12 years, were collected from the primary sections of various schools of Patiala city during 1974. Children belonging to the lower and lower-middle socio-economic groups were included in the present study. Nine anthropometric measurements including three skinfolds were taken on each subject. Statistical constants like mean, standard deviation and standard error of mean have been calculated. Growth standards of girls in terms of percentiles for these age groups have been constructed for some selected measurements. The resluts show that the velocity of weight increases in the successive ages up to 10–11 years. All other anthropometric measurements excluding skinfolds, show a general trend of decline in the rate of growth of body measurements up to 10–11 years. The girls ef this sample seem to pick up accelerated growth during the 11–12 year age interval to enter the adolescent growth spurt. The pattern of change of subcutaneous tissue provides two types of pictures-suprailiac and subscapular skinfolds show continuous increase during the period under study whereas the triceps skinfold decreases up to 9 years and again increases. The velocity curves of the skinfolds do not indicate any appreciable trend of increase or decrease. Linear regression equations were fitted to height, weight, log weight, and sitting height measurements. It is noticed that log weight measurements provide a better fit upon age than the weight measurements taken as such.

A study of birth weight in full term viable Punjabi infants.

A study of birth weight was conducted on 1729 singleton births recorded during the year 1970 in two local hospitals of Patiala city. The sample comprised of 915 and 814 male and female infants respectively. Male infants were found to be heavier than the female infants respectively. Male orders of birth. Summer and winter months gave higher birth weights in the two sexes; it may not, however, be directly related to thermal conditions. The birth weight showed a steady increase in both the sexes up to the 6th order of birth after which there was a general decline. Statistical analysis for differences due to sex and order of birth have been given in the text. Norms for birth weight have also been provided.