![]() |
Journal of Environmental BiologypISSN: 0254-8704 ; eISSN: 2394-0379 ; CODEN: JEBIDP |
Google Search the Journal web-site: |
Abstract - Issue Mar 2009, 29 (2) BackPollution level in
distillery effluent and its phytotoxic effect on seed
germination and early growth of maize and rice S.N. Pandey*, B.D. Nautiyal and C.P.
Sharma Department of Botany, (Received:
December 15, 2005 ; Revised received: February 02,
2006 ; Accepted: December 15, 2006) Abstract: The effluent from a Lucknow
- based distillery (Mohan Meakin Distillery) was
analyzed for physico-chemical and biological
parameters of pollution and concentration of potentially toxic heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Ni and Zn) and the effect of the distillery
effluent, as such and on 50% dilution with tap water was studied on seed
germination and seedling growth of maize (Zea mays L.) and rice (Oryza sativa
L.). The effluent was wine red in colour and highly
acidic (pH ~ 5.5) and possessed decaying alcoholic smell. The effluent
contained high values of different pollution parameters, particularly total
solids, 3450 mgl-1 (soluble plus suspended solids), alkalinity
1500 mgl-1, biological
oxygen demand (BOD, 1649 mgl-1)
and chemical oxygen demand (COD, 2036 mgl-1). It had very low values of dissolved oxygen (DO, 0.34 mgl-1).
The heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Ni and Zn) content,
particularly the nickel concentration (0.029 mg l-1)
was high. Use of the distillery effluent, even on 1:1 dilution with tap water,
inhibited germination and early seedling growth of maize and rice. In both
maize and rice, more so in the former, germination % of seeds, length of radicle and plumule and the fresh
and dry weight of the seedlings were significantly reduced. The emerging leaves
of the seedlings also developed visible effects of toxicity, some of which
resembled the symptoms of nickel toxicity. Our observations suggest that the
effluent, as discharged from the distillery, carry a heavy load of pollutants.
Its discharge into the river Gomti poses a potential
threat to the aquatic life, perticularly during the
summer months when the water flow in the river is drastically reduced. The
distillery effluent is also harmful for irrigating crops grown along the drain
carrying it. Key
words: Distillery effluent, Pollution, Heavy metals,
Phytotoxicity PDF
of full length paper is available with author (snpandey511@gmail.com) Copyright
© 2008 Triveni Enterprises.
All rights reserved. No part of the Journal can be reproduced in any form
without prior permission. Responsibility regarding the authenticity of the
data, and the acceptability of the conclusions enforced or derived, rest with
the author. |