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Pearlspot (Etroplus suratensis) is an indigenous fish endemic to India and Sri Lanka. It is the state fish of Kerala and very popular in the main tourist destinations/cousins in Kerala. It is mainly collected from brackish water creeks and canals for domestic consumption. However, several environmental and ecological problems lead to the significant reduction of pearlspot in natural water bodies. The promotion of Pearlspot farming is the only sustainable solution for this crisis. Nevertheless, one of the main issues in Pearlspot farming is the lack of quality seeds in sufficient quantities to undertake commercial farming. Massive seed production is the only way to meet the ever-increasing demand for Pearlspot seed. Several attempts to produce Pearlspot seed stock under hatchery conditions have been unsuccessful. The present paper reports the methods to achieve the mass-scale seed production using pond based seed production method. In this, two brackishwater ponds, each with dimensions of 40 m × 50 m × 0.9 m and water access from the creek, were selected. Scientific procedures were followed to produce large Pearlspot seeds throughout the year. The technology ensures the production of 50,000 seeds from a single breeding pond of 0.5-acre area, which can meet the seed requirement for above 3 ha area. The present study proved that Pearlspot reproduction in natural ponds could produce seed stock on a commercial scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports the morphology and land use/land cover of palaeochannels along the Chambal River and it explores the prospects of their revival. A total of 104 palaeochannels were identified covering a distance of 465 km. Further, the study has identified that palaeochannels have a natural valley structure that facilitates limited and seasonal water inundation at irregular places, forming pond-like structures. The ponds are a direct consequence of blockages of natural drainage, mainly, by human construction activities. It has been found that the palaeochannels, despite having a valley structure, have private ownership and have been under cultivation. Further, this paper explores revival prospects of the palaeochannels and ponds, including their inclusion in the Amrit Sarovar Scheme (a Government Scheme). These results are significant in understanding of the geomorphological evolution of the Chambal River and in the possibility of using the areas (palaeochannels and ponds) in a more meaningful way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon capture and utilization (CCU) is an emerging technology with commercial potential to convert atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) into net zero or negative emission products. In microalgae-based CCU, microalgae utilize CO2 and sunlight to generate biomass for commercial applications. This paper reviews the current state of microalgal culture development for CCU and highlights its potential contribution to addressing climate change challenges. Current microalgal culture systems have not been designed for high throughput biomass growth and carbon capture. Raceways, high-rate algal ponds, and photobioreactors are the most widely used for microalgal cultivation at a large-scale. The limitations of these systems are related to microalgal growth requirements. Ponds are operated at narrow depth to ensure sufficient light distribution and thus need a large land surface. CO2 gas needs to be in a dissolved form for efficient utilization by microalgae. Innovative system designs to achieve optimized distribution of light, nutrient, and CO2 utilization for enhanced biomass production are crucial to achieve large-scale CO2 capture by microalgae. Data corroborated in this review highlights several innovative techniques to deliver CO2 effectively and enhance light illumination to microalgal cells. Submerged and internal illuminations can enhance light distribution without compromising culture volume and land requirements. CO2 delivery technique selections mainly depend on CO2 sources. The carbonation column appears to be the best option regarding efficiency, easy operation, and simple design. The downstream processes of microalgal culture (i.e. harvesting, biomass utilization, and water reuse) are important to make microalgae-based CCU a significant contribution to global carbon mitigation solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The text of this contribution provides a comprehensive summary of the issue of sedimentation. In the descriptive part of the paper, the issue of pond sedimentation is analyzed from both the quantitative and the qualitative point of view. The experimental part is subsequently focused on the quality of pond sediment. Detailed attention is given to land use and the quality of soil on adjacent agricultural land and their influence on sediment quality. The paper is unique in providing detailed monitoring of sediments and adjacent agricultural land at a selected pilot location, which is characterized by intensive agricultural use and by the presence of numerous water bodies (ponds used for semi-intensive fish breeding). The paper presents in detail results obtained from a laboratory analysis, especially concerning contamination by risk elements and foreign substances. Laboratory results are further compared against Czech legislation dealing with the reapplication of sediments on agricultural land. Lastly, the paper deals with the nutrient potential of sediments and with the potential impacts of their application on agricultural land. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes a forensic investigation of groundwater in an urban context in Italy. The present case study was conducted to detect the hydraulic flow path between a sportfishing pond and a nearby industrial plant's contaminated groundwater site. The investigation was performed to evaluate the potential for diffusion of contaminants through groundwater flow into a fishing pond located downstream from a chemical factory. High-precision altitude measurements of monitoring stations combined with continuous water level monitoring were crucial to understand the groundwater flow dynamics and define the hydrogeological conceptual model. The study verified that the fishing pond, dug in low-permeability volcanic rock, was not hydraulically connected to the groundwater flow. The presence of contaminants in the pond may be related to the periodic topping-up activity performed using water from an existing well. The identified groundwater flow paths were consistent with the possible contaminant migration from the chemical factory to the water well near the fishing pond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A watershed-based development approach can solve the problems of rural economy in India. Large-scale watershed development projects are being implemented in India; however, in most areas, conventional practices of soil and water conservation are followed. Certain innovative approaches are being evolved, which have a very high potential to be replicated in arid and semi-arid regions of the country. This paper presents an innovative approach of watershed development using a farm-pond network. This paper is based on a successful project in a watershed of 1,004 ha in the Adihalli-Myllanhalli village area of Hassan district in Karnataka, India. After the implementation of farm-pond based watershed development project between 1996 and 2000, the whole ecosystem and socio-economic scenario has undergone a major change in the area. The availability of water for drinking and agriculture, the establishment of orchards and agro forestry in farmlands, the increase in overall agricultural production, and the creation of local self-employment are some visible impacts. This watershed approach has already been adopted by several organizations in Karnataka and is being replicated in their respective program areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ponds are recognized worldwide as biodiversity hotspots; nevertheless in Patagonia studies are still needed that reveal the composition and status of their communities. This paper analyses the temporal patterns of aquatic invertebrates and assesses the environmental factors that best predict the variation in community structure at three small intermittent ponds, subjected to ranching practices (summer stocking) in the Patagonian steppe. Variables identified as important in structuring community assemblages were related to environmental conditions (rainfall and water temperature), chemical features (conductivity and pH) and biotic factors (macrophyte coverage). During the connected phase only a small number of invertebrate species were present, in contrast to the 11 taxa that were frequent and abundant during the isolated period (Eucyclops chilensis, Hyalella curvispinaandRhionaeschnasp. were dominant). In this sequence the submersedMyriophyllum quitenseandLilaeopsis maclovianaplayed a crucial role offering habitat and food resources. The present study provides valuable information that can contribute to minimizing the environmental damage and the development of strategies for the conservation of Patagonian wetlands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines historical evidence on the occurrence and status of an important landscape element in the Central Tablelands of New South Wales: the swampy meadow/chain of ponds landform. Our findings reject the notion that it is possible to reconstruct this landform as it was at the time of early European settlement, based solely on early colonial documents. Furthermore the analysis of such documents should be used with appropriate caution when benchmarking this landform. These conclusions have been reached by analysing 826 nineteenth-century portion plans, 18 early explorers and settlers' journals, letters and maps, and nine Surveyor General's maps and plans. We suggest that our findings have significant implications for developing management and restoration strategies, better informing conservation initiatives and the development of policies aimed at protecting, conserving and restoring the swampy meadow/chain of ponds landform. Our experience suggests that researchers involved in historical analyses of documents for similar purposes should be wary about factors such as the limitations and reliability of source data, unwarranted interpretations and the imprecise and/or contradictory use of terms. We also suggest that the possible subjective views of some observers, particularly those with limitations in interpreting such a landform, are further reasons to be cautious. If these factors are not taken into account it is very likely to result in a flawed interpretation. We conclude that both landform awareness and other perceptions of an observer at the time of early European settlement may present a hitherto unrecognised subjective element in this and other analyses which could limit the precision of historical reconstruction, without resort to other complementary methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to study the performance of a combined waste stabilisation pond after three years of functioning and the reuse of treated wastewater for irrigating potatoes and lettuce culture. The combined ponds showed good functioning conditions and excellent performances either for organic load (90%), faecal coliform (6 log units) or helminth eggs (100%) and produced a high and perennial effluent quality. The effluent could be used for non-restrictive irrigation, with a clear improvement of culture production and hygienic quality for both fruits and soil. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]