Cement, Energy & Environment

Unit having capacity of 2.2 MTPA located at NH-6, P.O. Nashirabad, Distt. Jalgaon (MS). Based on area we had selected two zones, Zone A (0 to 1 km periphery from Orient Cement) and Zone B (1 to 10 km periphery from Orient Cement). Five samples from each zone collected for the comparative analysis. Soil sample collection At each site 5 to 7 pits of 20 to 30 em depth were prepared; almost half kilogram of soil was taken from each pit and mixed it in a plastic container thoroughly. One fifth of this mixture was collected as a soil sample. Before going for the analysis, the soil samples were air-dried , crushed in mortar and pestle, sieved through a 2 mm sieve and stored for physico-chemical analysis. Physico-chemical analysis pH and electrical conductivity were determined using a pH meter and Electrical Conductivity Meter (Sparks et al. 1996). Water holding capacity (WHC), organic carbon, available nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium , calcium carbonate were also estimated by the methodology described by Sparks et al. (1996). Also, ferrous, manganese, copper and zinc were quantified with the help of Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) (Reference). Morphological Studies The shoot length (em) , root length (em), fresh weight (gm), dry weight (gm) and leaf area (cm 2 ) all parameters were observed after 20 days of interval. The total leaf area was calculated as described by Raajasubramanian et al. (2011 ). Study of biochemical parameters a. Estimation of reducing sugars:- 0.5 gm of plant material ground in a morter and pestle with 10 ml of 80 % ethanol. The homogenate was centrifuged for 10 minutes at 800 rpm. The supernatant was saved . Then, ethanol was evaporated in water bath at 50°C. The extract was made up to 20 ml with distilled water. 1 ml of extract was taken for the estimation which was done by using 3, 5-dinitrosalicylate and the sample was read at 520 nm in UV Spectrophotometer. Standard curve was prepared by using known concentration of glucose (Nelson 1944). b. Estimation of total carbohydrate: - 0.5 gm of plant material was homogenized with 10 ml 80 % ethanol and centrifuged at 2000 rpm for 20 min. The supernatant was collected and 1 ml of this alcoholic extract was taken for the estimation. The estimation was done by using Phenol-Sulphuric acid method. The optical density of the characteristic yellow orange color thus developed was measured at 490 nm; standard curve was prepared by using known concentration of glucose (Marmit and Sharma 2008). c. Estimation of protein: - The protein content was quantified by the method of Lowry et al. (1951). 0.5 gm of plant material was weighed and ground in a mortar and pestle with 10 ml of 20 % TCA (Trichloro Acetic Acid). The homogenate was centrifuged for 15 minutes at 800 rpm and the supernatant was discarded. To the pellet, 5 ml of 0.1 N NaOH was added and centrifuged for 5 minutes. The supernatant was saved and made up to 10 ml of 0.1 N NaOH. This extract was used for the estimation of protein . The sample was read at 660 nm in UV-Spectrophotometer. d. Study of Photosynthetic pigments (Chlorophyll and Carotenoids) and Photosynthesis rate - The total chlorophyll (mg/gm fresh weight) was estimated by Arnon (1949). The total carotenoid was estimated by Lichtenthler and Welburn (1983). The photosynthesis rate in the form of PS II activity was measured as per Sharma (1989). 2