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ThesisItem Open Access Wastewater treatment and bioelectricity generation using constructed wetland integrated with microbial fuel cell(G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar - 263145 (Uttarakhand), 2019-07) Narayan, Maitreyie; Srivastava, R.K.A microbial fuel cell coupled with constructed wetland (CW-MFC) is a new and innovative device used to treat the different types of wastewater and produce energy which has also more wastewater treatment efficiency and more easy maintenance than others MFCs. In this work, the effects of hydraulic residence time (HRT) and different wetland plants were used for treatment and on the electricity production. The degradation characteristics of different wastewater were also investigated. The degradation rate and the electricity production increased to a peak before slowing down with the elongation of HRT. The highest degradation rate was obtained when HRT was 5days, the concentration of pollutants such as BOD, COD, chloride, sodium, potassium, sulphate and total nitrogen were reduced to by 96.98, 87.83, 62.91, 72.23, 82.71, 86.32, 78.55% respectively and pH was 7.23 by Canna and 96.97, 85.06, 70.14, 70.31, 69.48, 79.75, 69.95% respectively by Reed and pH was 7.23. Highest voltage generation was recorded 31.66 mV by Canna and 25.33 mV by Reed in the setup-1 and almost similar trends were also observed with other setup of other experiment for voltage and current generation and pollutant removal. The artificial neural network (ANN) models were developed on a daily basis with sigmoid as an activation function and subjected to a maximum of 20 iterations. In the setup-1, among the various ANN models, 4-4-1 was consider best because in this model with highest r- value, similarly in the setup 2,3,4, and 5, 4-2-1, 4-8-1, 4-10-1 and 4-8-1 models were found most suitable. Immobilized peroxidase enxyme on sodium alginate beads was also made and used in the microcosm for lignin dedradation. Optimization of various concentrations of wastewater and HRT for degradation of the lignin, electricity generation and COD removal by peroxidase enzyme were also studied mathematically by using Response Surface Methodology model. After optimization the maximum values were calculated treatment - 74.99%, HRT- 3.08 days and concentration of peroxidase 10 mg/L.ThesisItem Open Access Estimation of above ground biomass and net primary productivity of Kumaon Himalayan forest using geospatial approach(G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar - 263145 (Uttarakhand), 2019-02) Rabha, Amit Kumar; Srivastava, R.K.The present studywas conducted in four districts of Kumaon region namely Udham Singh Nagar, Nainital, Almora and Bageshwar districts, Uttarakhand considering different altitudinal gradient. The study area is good representation of increasing altitudinal gradient from Udham Singh Nagar (148 m MSL) to Bageshwar district (>4000 m MSL). The study area is classified into five major forest classes along altitudinal gradient based on composition of dominant tree species. The major classified forest classes are mixed deciduous forest, mixed pine forest, pine forest, mixed oak forest, high altitude mixed forest and occupied about 54%, 19%, 17%,4% and 6% of studied total forest area respectively. The distribution of major forest classes also analysed along increasing elevation. In the current study, the estimation of Above Ground Biomass(AGB) of major forest classes was calculated by allometric and remote sensing (RS) based method and developed a multi parameter AGB prediction model using Artificial Neural Network Backpropagation algorithm and the Net Primary Productivity (NPP) was calculated using a modified remote sensing micrometeorological model refers to as MODNPP for monthly, seasonaland annual basis. For seasonal NPP study, include four season namely winter, summer, monsoon and autumn season.The remote sensing based estimated biomass of mixed deciduous forest, mixed pine forest, pine forest, mixed oak forest and high altitude mixed forest was measured within ranges from 184 Mg ha-1 to 436 Mg ha-1, 62 Mg ha-1 to 252 Mg ha-1, 80 Mg ha-1 to 302 Mg ha-1, 71 Mg ha-1 to 265 Mg ha-1, and 43 Mg ha-1 to 195 Mg ha- 1 respectively. The monthly NPP was measured in the ranges from 0.2 to 2.80 ton ha-1month-1. The seasonal NPP was measured for different season between 0.12 to 2.36 ton ha-1season-1(winter), 0.98 to 5.33 ton ha-1season-1 (summer), 1.78 to 8.12 ton ha-1season-1 (monsoon) and 0.26 to 2.47 ton ha-1 season-1 (autumn). However, the annual NPP was recorded between 1.5 to 16.5 ton ha-1year-1 for different location. The calculated annual NPP for different major forest types namely mixed deciduous forest, mixed pine forest, pine forest, mixed oak forest and high altitude mixed forest ranges from 7 to 13.93 ton ha-1year-1, 3 to 14 ton ha-1year-1, 3 to 15. ton ha-1year-1, 4 to 15.48 ton ha-1 year-1 and 5 to 15.17 ton ha-1year-1 respectively. Therefore, this study envisaged that models used for calculation of AGB and NPP are best suited for its calculation and cost effective.ThesisItem Open Access Regeneration status of protected and disturbed forests patch of Ranikhat, Uttarakhand(G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar - 263145 (Uttarakhand), 2019-06) Verma, Prateek; Melkania, UmaThe present study was conducted in the forests of Ranikhet, a cantonment town in Almora district of Uttarakhand located at an altitude of 1,869 meters (6,132 ft) above mean sea level and within sight of western peak of Himalayas. The study area is located between 29.650 N and 79.420 E. The cantonment is spread across two ridges, the former one called the Ranikhet ridge that is situated at an elevation of 5,983 ft and later one is the Chaubatia ridge at an elevation of 6,942 ft. The purpose of the study was to understand the growth behavior of tree species in the Cantonment protected and disturbed forests of Ranikhet in terms of dominance, diversity, regeneration dynamics and biomass at different altitude levels. Plot design was used to analyse quantitatively and qualitatively the tree, sapling and seedling vegetation. The entire forest regime reflected a dominance of Pine (Pinus roxburghii), Oak (Quercus leucotrichophora) and Deodar (Cedrus deodara) trees. Other trees are Kafal (Myrica esculenta), Buransh (Rhododendron arboreum) and sub-alpine fir (Abies pindrow). The overall tree density in protected forest varied from 444 trees ha-1 (at hill top) to 346 trees ha-1 (at hill slope) to 255 ind. ha-1 (at hill base) while in disturbed forest, it varied between 423 trees ha-1 (at hill top) to 355 trees ha-1 (at hill slope) to 221 trees ha-1 (at hill base). Variations in forest composition, structure and their regeneration status are also influenced by the climatic condition of this area. Cedrus deodara and Myrica esculenta exhibited good regeneration in protected forest while Pinus roxburghii was the only species having comparatively better regeneration in disturbed forest. The regeneration status was found comparatively good in the protected forest maintained by the cantonment board as compared to the disturbed forest as the anthropogenic activities such as fodder and fuel wood collection, frequent forest fire, overgrazing, activities like trekking, jungle safari, fire camping and rapidly growing tourism has resulted in poor regeneration of forest communities. The Forest Management department of Ranikhet has taken many initiatives to protect the forests. Afforestation and sustainable forest management is practiced. The study seeks to understand the current forest composition, regeneration potential and the dynamics of forest management in Ranikhet.ThesisItem Open Access Biochar: a carbon negative technology to manage crop residue burning(G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar - 263145 (Uttarakhand), 2019-06) Prakriti Kumari; Melkania, UmaCrop residue burning is one of the reasons for climate change and increase in green house gas emissions into the atmosphere. Farmers usually face problems to manage crop waste generated after harvesting. Short window of time is present between harvesting of paddy and sowing of wheat. Farmers are left with no choice besides burning it in the field itself. This causes huge loss of beneficial organisms present in soil and causes changes in the soil physico-chemical characteristics of top layer of soil. Air pollution has increased to a greater extend due to this reason. Biochar is good alternative to manage crop residue burning. Biochar is prepared in controlled environment which prevent emissions of harmful gases into the atmosphere. Biochar also have many benefits in soil as it increases carbon content in soil which further increases soil fertility. It also prevents leaching of nutrients from the soil. Biochar has liming effect on soil and can be used as alternative to lime to prevent acidity in soil. Carbon stock generated by biochar plus recommended dose of fertilizers was 17.76 t/ha which was 20.07% more than control. Carbon stock produced by crop treatment crop residue and fertilizers was 17.39 t/ha. Labile carbon is converted to non-labile form by biochar which is resistant to decomposition and persists in soil for many years. Therefore, it works as attractive tool to conserve carbon for long term. Carbon nonlabile amount in biochar and fertilizer treated soil was 6.624 g/kg and labile carbon was 5.655 g/kg. In control labile carbon fraction was 5.85 g/kg and non-labile fraction was 3.19 g/kg. Carbon lability index of treatment of biochar and fertilizers was recorded to be 0.85 and crop residue and fertilizers treatment was noted as 2.09. Low carbon lability index of biochar is due to more non-labile fraction of soil organic carbon. Due to this property carbon can be sequestered for many years in soil. The study concluded that biochar has great potential to sequester carbon and manage crop residue burning which will prevent emissions of various gases into the atmosphere due to burning.ThesisItem Open Access Phytoremediation of metal contaminated soil from Yamuna river bank in Delhi(G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar - 263145 (Uttarakhand), 2019-06) Belwal, Hemant; Singh, VirThe present study focuses on phytoremediation potential of coriander and fenugreek plants in using contaminated soil collected from the Yamuna river bank. Accumulation of metals, viz. Cu, Pb, Zn, in plant parts in shoots and roots was analyzed. Coriander and fenugreek are well known hyperaccumulator plants. The presence of high concentration of metals led to reduction in soil organic contents. The pH value of the control soil was significantly (p<0.05) than that of the treated samples. Soil respiration and soil dehydrogenase were significantly (p<0.05) declined in treated soil. However, there was no significant variation (p>0.05) in organic carbon content in control and treated pots. Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium were also reduced significantly (p<0.05) in treated soil. Heavy metal analyses using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer in shoots revealed that Cu was found higher in shoots of coriander grown in treated soil than in fenugreek plants grown with coriander in the same pot in control soil. Zn was found higher in shoots of fenugreek grown in treated soil and lower in coriander shoots grown in control soil. In roots Cu concentrations was found higher in roots of coriander plants grown in treated soil and Pb and zinc were in higher concentrations in the roots of fenugreek plants grown in treated soil. Cu registered minimum accumulation in fenugreek plants grown in control soil whereas Pb and Zn had minimum values of accumulation in coriander plant grown with fenugreek in control soil. However, there was no significant variation (p>0.05) in Pb for shoots and roots in all treatments.ThesisItem Open Access Assessment of fermentive hydrogen production potential of rice straw and vegetable agro-wastes(G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar - 263145 (Uttarakhand), 2019-05) Rawat, Sumit; Sarawat, ShwetaThe present study was undertaken to assess the hydrogen production potential of rice straw, vegetable agro-wastes and their combination employing Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli and their mixed inoculum under anaerobic conditions. All the pretreated substrates i.e. rice straw, vegetable waste, and rice straw+vegetable waste yielded higher hydrogen gas as compared to their untreated substrates. In general, the maximum hydrogen production was obtained at pH 6.0, OD 0.5 and temperature 37° C in case of each treatment. Among all substrates, rice straw yielded maximum hydrogen gas throughout the experiment. The pretreated rice straw yielded maximum hydrogen gas i.e. 65.6 ml / 100 g VS using mixed culture followed by 64.2 ml / 100 g VS using K. pneumoniae and 56.8 ml / 100 g VS using E. coli at pH 6.0 and OD 0.5. In case of mixed culture i.e. K. pneumoniae+ E. coli the hydrogen gas production was recorded maximum i.e. 240.46 ml / kg rice straw followed by K. pneumoniae (220.1 ml / kg rice straw) and E. coli (160.2 ml / kg rice straw) at pH 6.0 and OD 0.5. The ability to produce hydrogen by mixed culture was 10% higher than K. pneumoniae and 33% higher than E. coli. The results revealed that the pretreated rice straw in combination of K. pneumoniae and E. coli can be used to produce green renewable energy for the sake of agrowastes and environmental management.ThesisItem Open Access Phytoremediation of Zn and Pb from the polluted soils by sunflower (Helianthus annuus)(G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar - 263145 (Uttarakhand), 2019-06) Khalid Muhib; Melkania, UmaPhytoremediation is an emerging cost effective remediation technology that uses plants to remove metals from contaminated soils. Potexperiments were conducted to compare the biomass of Sunflower (Helianthus annuus), plant grown on Pb and Zn contaminated soils, and to assess its efficiency for the removal of Pb and Zn. The obtained results showed that as the concentration of heavy metals increased in soil, the fresh and dry weights of the growing plants gradually decreased. The application of 835mgkg−1 soil of Pb and 598mg kg-1 Zn reduced the fresh weights of shoot and root. The maximum concentration of Pb and Zn in shoot (146.27 and 277.83mgkg−1) and roots (589.77 and 287.97mgkg−1, respectively) were recorded in the plant cultivated in contaminated soil. The highest bioaccumulation was recorded for Pb in the root grown on soil treated with 835mgkg−1.Highest plant shoot and root length was found in control soil with average values 75.67 cm and 9.5 cm, respectively.While the shortest plants shoot 58.5 cm and root 6 cm was recorded under the 835 mg kg-1 soil Pb concentration. Similarly, zinc significantly decreased plant shoot and root by 55.67 cm and 7 cm respectively when the soil treated with 598 mg kg-1 soil zinc.Therefore, the study concludes that Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) plant was more favorable for Pb and Zn uptake, and we suggest its ability for the remediation of Pb and Zn contaminated soils.ThesisItem Open Access Comparative study of Ageratum conyzoides dead biomass and its biochar for heavy metal removal from industrial wastewater(G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar - 263145 (Uttarakhand), 2019-05) Anusha, B.V.; Saraswat, ShwetaThe present study was done in order to evaluate the use of Ageratum conyzoides biomass (DB) and its biochar (BC) for the heavy metal removal from electroplating industry wastewater. The analyses of both Ageratum conyzoides DB and its BC were carried out to study their physico-chemical properties. The initial concentrations of various parameters in the electroplating industry wastewater were analyzed to determine the heavy metal load in the wastewater. Ageratum conyzoides DB and BC were used as adsorbents for the adsorption of heavy metals which includes zinc, cadmium, chromium and lead present in the wastewater sample. Heavy metal removal per cent at different dosage of Ageratum conyzoides DB and BC, varying pH and at different time interval from the wastewater was studied. Heavy metal adsorption using BC was more in all the treatments compared to A. conyzoides DB. Maximum removal using A. conyzoides DB was 62.45%, 45.63%, 98.05% and 78.65% for Zn, Cd, Cr and Pd, respectively and for A. conyzoides BC was 98.65%, 51.83%, 100 % and 80.05%. Order of adsorption was Cr>Pd>Zn>Cd with DB and Cr>Zn>Pd>Cd with BC. Within 30min rate of adsorption was maximum though further increase contact time showed higher per cent removal, rate of adsorption decreased. Maximum adsorption of heavy metals was seen at pH 6 using Ageratum conyzoides DB, whereas Ageratum conyzoides BC showed maximum adsorption at different pH for different metals. Ageratum conyzoides can be successfully utilized as DB powder or converted to BC to treat the industrial wastewater and bring down the heavy metal concentration below permissible limit.ThesisItem Open Access Effects of water stress on morpho- and physiobiochemical parameters of Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertner and Echinocloa frumentacea Link(G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar - 263145 (Uttarakhand), 2019-05) Tiwari, Anjali; Singh, VirWater scarcity induces water stress which, in turn, alters plant physiology. The altered plant physiology imposes restrictions on the crop plants to realize their natural potential such as appropriate growth, high yields, protection against pests and the likes. Millet crops, especially the finger millet (Eleusine coracana) barnyard millet (Echinocloa frumentacea), constitute the major crops in summer crop season in mountain areas. The present investigation attempts to examine morpho- and physiobiochemical effects of water stress in these crops which often experience water scarcity in summer season. A pot experiment was conducted to analyze water stress conditions on the two millets crop. Water was given to plants at 7, 15, 30 and 45 days interval. A comparative study of both the millets crop under well-watered and water stress conditions revealed that finger millet was more tolerant to drought than barnyard millet in terms of plant height, numbers of leaves, relative water content, harvest index, proline content, chlorophyll content, protein content, carbohydrate content, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, phenol content, flavanoid content, amylose content, and catalase (CAT). ANOVA for these parameters was also found significant at 0.05% level. Effect of water stress on biochemical parameters like proline content, chlorophyll content, protein content, carbohydrate content, MDA content, phenol content, flavanoid content, amylose content, and CAT activity accounted more reduction in barnyard millet than in finger millet.