Distribution of amino acids in sediments of a mangrove ecosystem, west coast of India

The seasonal variability of free and protein bound amino acids (AAs) in the sediments of mangrove ecosystem, west coast of India were studied. AAs exhibited significant variability with depths in the sediments of two mangrove ecosystems, Mangalavanam and Vypeen, situated on the west coast of India. Of the ten AAs detected, serine (Ser) was the most abundant followed by threonine (Thr), glycine (Gly), aspartic acid (Asp), tyrosine (Tyr), glutamic acid (Glu) and alanine (Ala). The trend in AA relative abundance in the sediment and leaves exhibits a close similarity indicating a major influence of plants in the supply of these compounds to the sediment. The most common AAs at both stations are Asp, which is abundant in sediments with a large organic inputs followed by Glu, which is abundant in phytoplankton and marine bacteria. Ser, Thr and Gly, which constitute diatom cell walls, were also found in significant concentration. The changes in relative abundance of various AAs with depth indicate significant seasonal variability. This may be due to the selective microbial utilization of these AAs at different depths. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that the first principal component, which is the degradative index (PC I ) has ca . 84 % of the variance at Mangalavanam an

HUMIC SUBSTANCES AS A POTENT BIOMATERIALS FOR THERAPEUTIC AND DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM-A REVIEW

Efficiency of therapeutic compounds could be enhanced by encapsulation and covalent attachments to a biomaterial carrier. Complex formation with humic substances is valuable techniques to improve bioactivity of natural products. Fractal structures of humic substances also have adjacent carboxyl and hydroxyl groups. Along with molecular bonding property, reduction-oxidation and association-dissociation capacities of humic substances are considered this as a biomaterial for transform, other molecules, and substances. Immune system responses of humic acid stimulates in the human body. However, pharmaceutical importance of humic substances, demands on evidenced efficacy and a clearly defined chemical composition of the preparations used. Toxicological safety standards also have to be evaluated. This review summarises the application of humic substances as pharmaceuticaly important biomaterial. Research on this zone opened up an application for humic substances in pharmacogonasy

Toxic Metals Enrichment in the Surficial Sediments of a Eutrophic Tropical Estuary (Cochin Backwaters, Southwest Coast of India)

Concentrations and distributions of trace metals (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in surficial sediments of the Cochin backwaters were studied during both monsoon and pre-monsoon periods. Spatial variations were in accordance with textural charaterstics and organic matter content. A principal component analysis distinguished three zones with different metal accumulation capacity: (i) highest levels in north estuary, (ii) moderate levels in central zone, and (iii) lowest levels in southern part. Trace metal enrichments are mainly due to anthropogenic contribution of industrial, domestic, and agricultural effluents, whose effect is enhanced by settling of metals due to organic flocculation and inorganic precipitation associated with salinity changes. Enrichments factors using Fe as a normalizer showed that metal contamination was the product of anthropogenic activities. An assessment of degree of pollution-categorized sediments as moderately polluted with Cu and Pb, moderately-to-heavily polluted with Zn, and heavily-to-extremely polluted with Cd. Concentrations at many sites largely exceed NOAA ERL (e.g., Cu, Cr, and Pb) or ERM (e.g., Cd, Ni, and Zn). This means that adverse effects for benthic organisms are possible or even highly probable

Geochemistry of Rare Erath Elements and Trace Metals along the Western Continental Shelf of India

Rare earth elements have occupied an important role in marine geochemical research, particularly as used in the format of REE abundance patterns to describe the geochemical pathways in marine sedimentation and authigenesis. This study concentrates on the distribution pattern of Rare earth elements in the sediments, behavior of Eu and Ce with respect to their occurrence in multiple oxidation states. It also concentrate the depth wise variation of sediment REEs from near shore areas (30m) to deeper depths 200m) in the Arabian Sea. It includes the downcore variation of REEs and other trace elements in the sediment cores and a comparison between the REE distributions of Arabian Sea sediment with the sediments of Andaman Sea. The study gives a general introduction regarding the importance of RRE studies, its occurrence and abundance, electronic configuration, lanthanide contraction, oxidations states and REE supply to the ocean, seawater and sediments

Modelling of Geochemical Processes in Mangrove Ecosystem

The mangrove ecosystem is one of the earth’s most endangered ecosystems. In this study, geochemical features of three mangrove ecosystems, Mangalavanam, Vypeen and Nettoor were compared. Water, sediment and core samples were collected from these stations for a period of one year. Nutrients, organic compounds orgnic carbon and hydrographical parameters of the samples were estimated. The present study revealed higher concentration of carbon in the surface sediments. The major temporary or ultimate sink for various pollutants in estuaries is the sedimentary reservoir, including intertidal areas. In the present study, higher values for dissolved nutrients, POC and carbohydrates were observed during low tide

Coral Reef Ecosystem of Lakshadweep Archipelago –A Biogeochemical Facsimile

The present study focuses on the biochemical aspects of six islands belonging to Lakshadweep Archipelago – namely Kavaratti, Kadamath, Kiltan, Androth, Agathy and Minicoy. Lakshadweep, which is an area biologically significant due to isolation from the major coastline, remains as one of the least studied areas in Indian Ocean. The work, processed out the distributional pattern of trace metals among the biotic (corols, sea weeds and sea grass) and abiotic component (sediments) of ecosystem. An effort is made to picturise the spatial distribution pattern of different forms of nitrogen and phosphorus in the various sedimentary environments of the study area. Studies on the biogeochemical and nutrient aspects of the concerned study area scanty. In Lakshadweep, the local life is very dependent on reefs and its resources. The important stress which produce a threatening effort on the existence for coral reefs are anthropogenic-namely-organic and inorganic pollution from sewage, agricultural and industrial waters, sediment damage from excessive land cleaning, and over exploitation particularly through destructive fishing methods. In addition these one other more localized or less service anthropogenic stress: pollution by oil and other hydrocarbons, complex organic molecular and heavy metal pollution, and destructive engineering practices

The distribution of different sulphur fractions in the surficial sediments of the Kerala coast, south west coast of India

16-19Study of distribution pattern of different sulphur fraction's along the Kerala coast shows that sulphur diagenesis was active in clay and silt dominated sediments. Storage of sulphur to sediments In this coast was found to be in the organic form. Reducing environment induced by the high content of organic matter is considered to be the major factor which controls the distribution of different S species. Significant concentrations of AVS-S and other reduced S species clearly supports the presence of a reducing environment in the sediments of Kerala Coast

The Ratios of Carbon, Nitrogen, and Phosphorus in a Wetland Coastal Ecosystem of Southern India

The fertility of the coastal and estuarine waters is of great concern because of its influence on the productivity of these waters. Seasonal variations in the distribution of organic carbon, total nitrogen and total phosphorus in the sediments of Kuttanad Waters, a part of the tropical Cochin Estuary on the south west coast of India, are examined to identify the contribution of sediments to the fertility of the aquatic systems. The adjoining region has considerable agricultural activity. The fresh water zones had higher quantities of silt and clay whereas the estuarine zone was more sandy. Organic carbon, total phosphorus and total nitrogen were higher in the fresh water zones and lower in the estuarine zones. Total phosphorus and organic carbon showed the lowest values during monsoon periods. No significant trends were observed in the seasonal distributions of total nitrogen. Ratios of C/N, C/P and N/P, and the phosphorus and nitrogen content indicate significant modification in the character of the organic matter. Substantial amounts of the organic matter can contribute to reducing conditions and modify diagenetic processesCochin University of Science and TechnologyInternat. Rev. Hydrobiol. 88, 2003, 2, 179–18