ECO-PHYSIOLOGICAL ALTERATIONS AND EFFECTS INDUCED BY A CHLORO-ALKALI INDUSTRY IN THE RUSHIKULYA RIVER, RUSHIKULYA RIVER ESTUARY, CHILKA LAKE AND EAST COAST OF BAY OF BENGAL AND POSSIBLE DETOXIFICATION BY MANIPULATED BIOLOGICAL AGENTS

Principal Investigator: Prof. A.K. Panigrahy, Dept. of Botany, Berhampur University,

                                       Berhampur- 760007,Orissa.

Sanctioned cost:           INR 737085.00

Man Power:                  1 Research Fellow

Tenure:                         3 Years

Objectives:

i.        Physico-chemical analysis and geographical distribution of heavy metals (Hg) contamination in aquatic and terrestrial environs of Rushikulya estuary.

ii.      Toxicological effects of Hg and their epidemiological studies in nearby villages.

iii.    Possible method of  detoxification by manipulation of biological agents.

Publications: 

            Possible detoxification of mercury contained effluent of a chlor-alkali industry by a cyanobacterium, J. Curr. Sci . 3(2):315-322 (2003)

Benefits:

            It will serve as a pool of information regarding the pollution status of  various ecological units of south coastal Orissa and their causative factors, especially the heavy metals. The concluding remarks will serve the planners and the authorities to tackle the situation effectively.